Agencies Dhaka

Bangladesh's interim government on Friday said it would take a "quick decision" on banning deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League. The announcement by the interim government chief Professor Muhammad Yunus's office in a statement came after student-led newly floated National Citizen Party (NCP) activists overnight rallied in front of his official residence demanding Hasina's party be disbanded.

NCP leadership had spearheaded the massive student-led protests that resulted in the ouster of Hasina on August 5 last Yunus had taken over on August 8. Those students came together to form the NCP earlier this year. "The government considers with seriousness the recent demand raised on behalf of different political parties, organisations and the people to disband Awami League over allegations of autocratic rule and terrorist activities," the interim government statement said.

The government has established contacts with different political parties and "will take a quick decision in consultation with them," it said. The NCP set up a makeshift stage near Yunus's official residence 'Jamuna' after midnight Thursday. The party activists also offered Friday prayers at the scene.

The government statement came as leaders of different Islamist parties and groups such as Jamaat-e-Islam, its student front Islami Chhatra Shibir and Hefazat-e-Islam on Friday also joined the rally of the NCP.