BNP yesterday urged the government to take steps for holding a participatory general election after releasing its chairperson Khaleda Zia and other party leaders from jail, reports UNB. The party's senior leaders, led by its standing committee members, on behalf of the party and its chairperson Khaleda Zia and senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman, paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreath at the National Memorial in Savar at around 9:15am, marking the 48th Independence Day.

They also stood in solemn silence there for some time as a mark of respect to the memory of the Liberation War martyrs. Later, senior party leaders and activists placed wreaths at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital at around 11:00am. They also offered munajat there seeking salvation of Zia's departed soul.

Speaking at the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "We want the national election to be held with the participation of all parties under a neutral government. That's way we demand the government hold the election after freeing our leader Khaleda Zia and all other political prisoners."

Fakhrul said their party has been on a movement seeking their chairperson's release and a credible election under a non-party neutral government.

The BNP leader said the nation is celebrating the Independence Day at a time when 'mother of democracy' Khaleda Zia is in jail. "Our chairperson and several thousand party leaders and activists have been kept in jail through a conspiracy."

He also accused the government of plotting to keep Khaleda and Tarique away from politics and the next national election. "We'll restore democracy through a movement."

Fakhrul, standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Mirza Abbas, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Vice-chairmen Abdullah Al Noman, Mohammad Shahjahan and AZM Zahid were, among others, present.

Earlier in the morning, BNP hoisted the national and the party flag atop all its offices, including the Nayapaltan central one, on the occasion. The party and its associate bodies have taken different programmes, including discussion, essay competition and rally to mark the Independence Day.