Tens of thousands of supporters of Bangladesh's former prime minister have rallied in support of next month's general elections.
Police were deployed near the presidential palace in Dhaka on Tuesday to prevent any violence during the demonstration.
Former Prime Minister and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Khaleda Zia vowed to resist opposition demands for the polls to be delayed.
Her political rival, Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina, has threatened a nationwide strike on Thursday unless the interim government meets demands for electoral reforms prior to the election.
Bangladesh's 14-party opposition has staged a series of often-violent street protests in the runup to the balloting.
The elections, originally slated for January 23rd, have been rescheduled due to a Hindu religious festival. They are now slated for January 22nd.
Matiur Rahman Choudhury has more on the story.
