Dhaka: Opposition BNP alleged that the government is trying to undercut preparations for their much-vaunted Dhaka grand rally by refusing to give power supply to the Paltan Maidan venue, wherefrom their supreme leader is to call for a movement.

Party standing committee member and chief coordinator of the grand rally Nazrul Islam Khan made the allegation Friday at a press briefing at the party's Naya Paltan office.

BNP demanded 100KV electricity to run 250 mikes and digital displays for the upcoming rally scheduled for May 19, which the authorities concerned refused to give, he said.

Power Distribution Company Thursday sent a letter to BNP informing that additional power connection is not possible, as the ministry of power has directed them not to provide new power connections for three months from 29 March this year.

Nazrul Islam said, “ We demanded the power connection for some hours on a temporary basis. But the government is showing lame excuses to hamper the grand rally.”

He added: “As the ruling government claims itself a ‘democratic one’, we expected it will support our democratic activities. Such a hindrance by the government is a roadblock to democracy.”

In reply to a question he told journalists that people are demanding uninterrupted power supply while the government is increasing its price. The government should increase power generation before raising tariffs.

“BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia will announce a programme of movement to fulfill public expectation,” said the senior leader of the former ruling party.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, earlier, had declared from her Rajshahi rally on May 5 that the party's anti-government movement programme would be thrown from the fifth divisional 'grand rally' in the capital, Dhaka.

Some of the top leaders of the party attended the press conference.

BST 1543 HRS, May 14, 2010
AHS/SMS/MUA