Let us sit together to sort out differences

"Let us sit together to sort out our differences instead of indulging in mud-slinging at each other," Bhuiyan said while inaugurating a colourful procession in front of the BNP central office in the city. The ruling BNP took out the procession to mark the Independence Day.

Referring to the dialogue on electoral reforms, the BNP leader said he would write back to the opposition very soon.

Bhuiyan also hoped that the people would once again vote for BNP in the upcoming general election for the sake of continuation of the development programmes.

Paying tribute to late president Ziaur Rahman as the proclaimer of independence, he said when everyone fled on the night of March 25 in 1971, it was Zia who showed the courage to declare independence from Kalurghat radio station.

Health Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Environment Minister Tariqul Islam, Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas, State Minister for LGRD Ziaul Haq Zia, State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Maj. (retd.) Kamrul Islam, State Minister for Labour Amanullah Aman, BNP central leader Abdus Salam and Mafiqul Hasan Tripti were also present on the occasion.

Carrying colourful posters, banners, festoons, portraits of late president Ziaur Rahman, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman, sheaves of paddy, BNP's election symbol, as well as dummy rifles and canons, BNP activists from different parts of the city joined the procession that paraded through city streets to the rhythm of music played by band groups.

A big elephant and several horse-drawn carts were the attractions of a procession led by Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu MP from Lalbagh.

On an open truck, some children acted out the incidents of capture of militant kingpins Shaekh Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai along with their wife and children by the Rapid Action Battalion members.

The huge procession that started at Naya Paltan ended at Moghbazar.