Dhaka South and North city units of the BNP arranged huge gatherings in the capital's Badda and Basabo areas on Wednesday to press home their 10-point charter of demands, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.

At the Basabo rally, BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas commented that we will start the march with the people and our march will stop after the fall of the government.

Mirza Abbas said, "This government has filed at least 50 cases against the top leaders of the BNP. How much torture this government has done!"

Alleging that this government has robbed the people of this country by looting banks, he said, "Now there is an attempt to loot our sovereignty, we will not let it happen in our lifetime. We will ensure the country's sovereignty by toppling down this government."

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, "The prime minister has been talking strangely lately. She said votes were stolen during Ziaur Rahman's regime. You are stealing votes and calling others thieves."

Although this programme is called "silent" marches, many leaders and activists chanted various slogans. Many were also seen taking part in the march on motorcycles.