Rajshahi: The rally of Jatiya Oikyafront began at Madrasa Maidan here on Friday afternoon to mobilise public support in favour of the alliance’s various demands for holding the 11th parliamentary elections in a fair and credible manner.

The rally activities formally started around 2pm with recitation from the holy Quran and holy Gita. BNP chairperson’s adviser Mizanur Rahman Minu is presiding over the rally, reports the UNB.

Oikyafront chief and Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain was supposed to address the rally as the chief guest, but he could not arrive here due to his reported illness.

On Thursday, the alliance got conditional permission from the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) to hold the public rally.

As per the conditions, the rally must be concluded by 5:00pm.

It is the fourth rally of the Oikyafront as the alliance held rallies in Sylhet, Chattogram and capital Dhaka on October 24, 27 and November 6 respectively.

As the rally is being held a day after the announcement of the election schedule, the alliance larders are expected give an indication about whether they will join the polls or not.

A top BNP leader said the alliance leaders may call upon the Election Commission to defer the election schedule and create a level-playing field.

They are also likely to urge the government to reach an understating over the election through discussions for ensuring inclusive polls.

Several thousand leaders and activists of the BNP holding placards, banners and portraits of its founder Ziaur Rahman, chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman started gathering at the rally venue since 11:00am.

They were chanting various slogans demanding Khaleda’s release from jail.

Huge law enforcers have been deployed around the rally venue to maintain law and order.

The Oikyafront’s seven-point demand includes installation of a neutral interim government, dissolution of parliament, reconstitution the Election Commission, release of all the political prisoners, deployment of army and cancellation of the move to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMS) for holding the next polls in fair and acceptable manner.

On October 13, BNP together with Dr Kama Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, JSD and Nagorik Oikya launched the Jatiy Oikyafront to press for their seven-point demand.

Later, Krishak Sramik Janata League, led by Kader Siddiqui, joined the alliance.