Information and Broadcasting State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury has challenged those allegedly involved in attempts to destabilise the country to return immediately instead of waiting until December.
"Not December. If you have the courage, come now. I want to see you. Come prepared to face the law," he said.
The state minister made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing a rally organised by Kishoreganj district BNP at Akhra Bazar Bridge area in the district town. The rally was held against what the organisers described as attempts to destabilise the country through planned acts of violence.
Yaser Khan said the BNP and its supporters had led movements on the streets and worked to restore democracy and voting rights in Bangladesh.
"We have led the people on the streets, restored democracy and returned voting rights to the people. Under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, we have restored people's right to vote," he said.
He alleged that those who had fled the country were now engaged in conspiracies to undermine voting rights and disrupt the democratic process.
"The BNP family across Bangladesh is united with the people. We will continue democracy, voting rights and development with the people," he said.
Referring to incidents of arson and the explosion of cocktails, the state minister warned against attempts to create fear among the public.
"You may think that setting fire to two buses and exploding a cocktail will frighten the people. But the BNP activists, together with the people, have driven you out of the country. The country will not be allowed to be destabilised," he said.
Yaser Khan also called for those accused of violence to be brought under the law without waiting until December.
"You have taken the blood of our people and left our mothers and sisters without their loved ones. We are ready to bring you under the law and ensure trial as soon as possible. We do not want to wait until December for that," he said.
Kishoreganj-1 MP Mazharul Islam and Kishoreganj-2 MP Jalal Uddin also addressed the rally.
Among others present were former district BNP vice-president Jahangir Molla and Ismail Hossain Madhu, former organising secretary Israil Mia and Nazmul Islam, municipal BNP President Aminul Islam Ashfaq and General Secretary Mahbub Alam, district Jubo Dal President Khasruzzaman Sharif and General Secretary Abdullah Al Masud Suman, district Swechchhasebak Dal General Secretary Shahidullah Kaiser, and district Chhatra Dal President Shariful Islam Nishad and General Secretary Rafiul Islam Naushad.
Earlier, Kishoreganj district BNP brought out a procession from Rathkhola Maidan protesting what it described as planned acts of violence aimed at destabilising the country. The procession passed through major streets of the town before ending near Akhra Bazar Bridge, where the rally was held.
