Dhaka: BNP on Monday called ‘delirium’ Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader’s comment that the ‘poor presence’ of people in the party’s Suhrawardy Udyan rally exposed its unpopularity.

‘The Awami League general secretary said the poor presence of people in BNP’s rally has proved that its popularity decreased. It’s his delirium out of frustration seeing the presence of huge people in the rally,’ said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

He came up with the remarks while speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

Rizvi alleged that police arrested their party’s around 400 leaders and activists on their way to and from the Suhrawardy Udyan rally. ‘Despite the government’s various obstructions, huge people joined the rally, making the government scared.’

He criticised the government for arresting their party leaders and activists, saying it will not be able to suppress the party with its repressive acts.

The BNP leader said such arrest from a peaceful programme will only encourage their party men to put up a strong resistance against the government.

He demanded the government immediately release the arrested party leaders and activists.

Rizvi, on behalf of party acting chairman and secretary general, greeted BNP leaders and activists for making their rally a success with their spontaneous presence.