Dhaka, May 14 (bdnews24.com) – BNP Acting Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has reminded the government of the June 10 deadline given by the opposition to meet the demand for restoration of the caretaker government system.

"I want to tell the prime minister, please don't close the path to hold democratic demonstrations. The consequence will not be good," he told a rally in front of the party's Naya Paltan headquarters on Monday.

"Please announce restoration of the non-partisan caretaker government system," he added.

The BNP leader threatened that the opposition, along with the pro-democracy people, who he said know how to press the government to fulfil a demand, would oust the government through stronger protests if the demand is not met within June 10.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia had proclaimed the deadline from a rally in Dhaka on Mar 12. She had also hinted that the party would continue its protests after June 10 with a one-point demand – to restore the caretaker government system.

Fakhrul on Monday also slammed the government for 'suppressing the opposition'.

"The government thinks that it will preside over the [next] general election by scaring the opposition. But the people won't let it hold that election," he said.

The main opposition party held the rally after police did not allow it to take out a scheduled mass procession. Other constituents of the 18-Party Alliance led by BNP also joined the rally. The rally stretched from Fakirapool to Kakrail's Scout Bhaban.

"We are holding the rally instead of a mass procession following an order from our leader (Khaleda). But the way the government is torturing and slapping false cases on the opposition leaders to prevent protests won't be acceptable to the people," Fakhrul said.

He termed the Awami League government 'politically bankrupt'.

"The government is conspiring to destroy opposition politics. Police obstructed our demonstrations across the country yesterday (Sunday). Today's demonstration has been barred, too. The government is closing all of our paths," he said.

The BNP leader said his party wanted to secure democracy and the Constitution.

He also urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina not to obstruct opposition demonstrations.

On the disappearance of one of BNP's organising secretaries M Ilias Ali, he said, "They (government) want to push the country into the reign of darkness through forced disappearing, killing and filing cases over false charges against opposition leaders."

He demanded that the government 'return' Ilias, withdraw cases against top leaders of the party and release those arrested during the shutdowns.

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