DHAKA: The main opposition BNP forewarned that if the government stood in the way of its August 9 mass march in the capital, its consequences would not be palatable for the rulers.

“We want to organize a peaceful mass procession led by party chairperson Begum Zia…the government will be held responsible if it is obstructed and any untoward incident occurs,” party spokesman Nazrul Islam Khan told journalists Thursday after a preparatory meeting.

The joint meeting of the party and its front organizations was held at the party chairperson`s Gulshan office on Thursday morning with Khan, BNP Standing Committee member, in the chair.

In the meantime, party people were set to start demonstrations at 4pm at Muktangan in the capital Thursday in protest against government’s “misrule” and “repression” on opposition leaders and journalists.

Their demos are also to protest “terrorism, tender-manipulation, grabbing and admission trade” allegedly by Chhatra League activists, price hike before Ramadan, preventing hunger strike, prime minister`s comment against Khaleda Zia, and the filing of `false cases` against the party leaders.

The day’s programme was also to press for the release of opposition leaders and activists.

The programme was announced on July 27, as part of their movement against the government.

Among others, BNP standing committee members M Shamsul Islam and Begum Sarwari Rahman, senior joint secretary-general Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir, chairperson’s adviser professor Abdul Mannan, joint secretary-general Amanullah Aman, Opposition Chief Whip Jainul Abdin Farruque, Juba Dal president Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and Swechchhasebok Dal president Habibun-Nabi Khan Sohel attended the meeting.

BDST: 1:30 HRS, AUGUST 5, 2010