AL, BNP look set to face off on Dec 10

The ruling Bangladesh Awami League and major opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are on a collision course as both the parties may take to the streets in the capital on December 10.

BNP has already announced a rally in the capital for December 10 with its leaders saying that the country will run at the directive of party chairperson Khaleda Zia from that day.

Khaleda Zia, who had been convicted in two graft cases, is now staying at home as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on an executive order conditionally suspended her jail term.

Awami League is also planning to remain on the streets in the capital on that day so that BNP and its key ally Jamaat cannot unleash violence in the name of anti-government movement.

Tension is running high among the people across the country as Awami League and its arch rival BNP appear to be facing off on December 10.

Dhaka district AL has already announced a programme at Savar, one of the major entry points of the capital. AL Dhaka North unit and Dhaka South unit have also sought permission to hold peace rallies at Agargaon and historic Suhrawardy Udyan respectively.

AL city unit leaders say that if they do not get the permission to hold rallies, they will take to the streets in every ward of the city so that BNP-Jamaat activists cannot create any anarchy.

AL insiders say being the ruling party leader, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may not allow her party to hold rallies in the capital on that day. But leaders and activists of the ruling party and its associate bodies will remain on the street, they said.

Sources say that the streets in the capital have remained under control of the ruling party as the council session of Juba Mahila League will be held on December 9 while BCL, the student wing of the AL will be held on December 3 and Mahila Awami League on November 26.

Asked about its programmes on December 10, Awami League spokesperson Obaidul Quader on Monday ruled out holding of any counter programmes on that day.

“BNP has been jealous of massive development being carried out by the AL-led government. They are running movement to get back the reign of Hawa Bhaban,” he told reporters.

About his counterpart Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s remarks that the AL is jealous of BNP’s popularity, Quader said, “It will be proved in the next elections which party is popular.”

Sources in the government say neither the AL nor the government is yet to devise any plan over BNP’s scheduled rally in Dhaka. But some central leaders are working to outline plans so that no untoward incident take place on the day.

The BNP was not allowed to hold its programme ‘Dhaka Journey’ (Dhaka Obhijatra) on December 29 in 2013. But this time, the government is allowing them to hold programmes in the capital.

Sources said that though the government is allowing the BNP men to hold rally in Dhaka abut it will in now way allow them to take control of the streets in the capital.

Measures will be taken so that the rally will be confined to BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, they said.

“BNP has already held rallies in several divisional headquarters. They can do so in Dhaka. Awami League doesn’t have any objection. But they will not be allowed to do whatever they like,” he said.

By Daily Sun