The BNP has finally got permission from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to hold its workers' rally at Suhrawardy Udyan to mark International Labour Day tomorrow (Sunday). BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will address the rally to be organised by the party's workers' front, the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, at 2pm. "The police have given us permission to hold the May Day rally at Suhrawardy
Udyan following an application submitted by us,” confirmed BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Maruf Hossain, deputy commissioner (Media) of the DMP, told reporters that the permission was given on some conditions.
Earlier, the Public Works Department had also given permission to the Sramik Dal to use the venue for the rally.
The Sramik Dal sought permission through a letter on April 7.
Addressing a press conference at the BNP’s central office at Naya Paltan, Rizvi Ahmed said they are making all-out preparations to make the rally a success. He hoped to complete all the necessary work before the programme.
The BNP leader expects that a large number of leaders and activists of the party and its front organisations would take part in the May Day rally from different places in the city and its adjoining areas like Narayanganj, Gazipur, Narsingdi and Savar.
The BNP leaders have already announced that the rally would be the biggest gathering of its kind in recent times.
Replying to a question, Rizvi Ahmed said the BNP is ready to help the government to control any anti-humanity and and destructive militant activities with their previous experience. He claimed that the previous BNP government was the most experienced and successful in controlling militancy.
 “Militancy has emerged with its ugly face in the country as the government remains busy eliminating the Opposition, avoiding its other responsibilities,” he observed.
 He said the BNP urges the government to come up with a united and all-out effort, creating a national consensus, irrespective of party and opinion, to eliminate life-taking and anti-democratic militant forces in a bid to ensure peace and security.
The BNP leader also called upon the government to stop patronising militants, saying they are being provided shelter.
 He called upon the Prime Minister to tell information minister Hasanul to disclose where the militants are hiding, instead of accusing the BNP of involvement in militant activities.
 Rizvi said the BNP is being accused of involvement to shield the real killers of Xulhaz Mannan and his friend Mahbub Tonoy.