Dhaka, May 30 -- Senior leaders of the BNP, have laid wreaths at the grave of party founder Ziaur Rahman to mark the anniversary of his death.

Despite the rain, thousands of leaders and activists led small processions from different wards in Dhaka and gathered at Zia's grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

They wore black badges on their chests and chanted slogans in remembrance of the party's founder.

BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moin Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, AZM Zahid Hossain and other senior leaders arrived at the grave at 10:30am on Friday. After standing in silence for some time, they laid wreaths at the grave and then held a prayer service seeking forgiveness for the former president's soul.

On...