BNP stages massive rally demanding polls by Dec

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- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) intensified pressure on the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government Wednesday as tens of thousands of youths staged a massive rally demanding elections by December.

“The national election must be held by December. Preparations must begin immediately,” BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman said as he joined the rally through a virtual platform from London, where he currently lives.

He alleged the government’s “delay tactics” in staging elections and push for “so-called reforms” were part of a broader plan to derail democratic processes.

“In the past, all caretaker governments held fair elections within three months. Today, it's been over 10 months and yet, the government has not even announced the date of the election,” Rahman said.

The Chief Adviser Yunus-led interim government took charge after the toppling of the former premier Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government's regime in August last year.