DHAKA: Opposition BNP-led 18-party alliance has called 48-hour monstop hartal (shutdown) across the country from Saturday morning to Monday morning protesting ‘one-party’ polls.

Dr Osman Faruk, Adviser to Opposition BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, made the announcement at a press conference at Gulshan in the city on Friday evening.

“The BNP-led opposition alliance is calling nonstop 48-hour hartal from Saturday 6:00am to Monday 6:00am protesting the 10th parliamentary elections,” he said.

The BNP leader also demanded immediate release of the party leaders and activists. “The government is destroying democracy by holdin one-party polls,” he said.

Osman Faruk also urged the countrymen, on behalf of the party chairperson, to boycott the polls.    

BDST: 1740 HRS, JAN 03, 2013
Edited by: M. Mahbub Alam, Asst Output Editor