The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has cancelled its previously announced rally marking its founding anniversary, citing concerns over public inconvenience in Dhaka.
Instead, the party has launched a citywide initiative to clean canals, drains, and ponds as part of a public welfare campaign.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi confirmed the change to journalists on Monday.
“Causing further suffering to Dhaka residents is not our intention,” said Rizvi. “We have therefore cancelled the rally. To help restore a healthier urban environment, BNP’s Dhaka North and South units will carry out this cleanliness initiative.”
As part of the new programme, BNP leaders and activists will begin cleaning drains in various neighborhoods from Tuesday morning (September 2). Rizvi also urged the general public to join the voluntary effort.
BNP Chairperson’s media wing member Shairul Kabir Khan said the initiative is part of BNP’s 47th founding anniversary celebrations and replaces the previously scheduled rally.
He added that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will attend the canal cleaning programme as chief guest on Tuesday at 3pm in Dhaka North’s Sector 10, Road 1 (adjacent to the local canal).
Separately, BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy will inaugurate a tree planting and cleaning programme organised by Dhaka South BNP at 11:30am near the canal adjacent to Balur Math in East Maniknagar, Mugda.
