The ruling Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are set to hold rallies in the capital today (July 12), aiming to demonstrate their strength ahead of the next general election, triggering tensions among the city dwellers.
The Awami League plans to organize a peaceful gathering at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while the BNP will conduct a public rally in front of its central office at Nayapaltan.
The BNP's rally is part of their one-point movement to pressure the government into holding the next parliamentary polls under an election-time caretaker government.
Both parties are going to stage rallies at a time when the Election Exploratory Mission from the European Union (EU) and US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya and US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu are visiting Dhaka.
Programmes of the two political parties within a short radius at the same time have triggered tensions among the city dwellers.
They fear that the activists of the two rival parties may engage in confrontation if they face off on the streets.
Sources at both the ruling and opposition parties said they have taken preparations to show off their strength by ensuring huge gatherings in their respective rallies.
As per the schedule, AL Dhaka north and south city units will jointly hold a ‘peace rally’ at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in protest against ‘violence and anarchy’ unleashed by BNP.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader will address the rally, which will begin at 3:00pm, as the chief guest. Other central leaders of the ruling party will also speak on the occasion.
AL sources said Obaidul Quader will give special directives to the party men to stay on the streets ahead of the parliamentary elections and carry out massive campaign in favour of the government’s development activities. Sources said the ruling party will also hold ‘peace rallies’ in Savar, Dhamrai, Ashulia, Dohar, Nawabganj and Keraniganj of Dhaka district.
On the other hand, BNP will hold a public rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office to kick off the one-point movement.
Dhaka north and south city units of the party will jointly organise the rally. The programme will start at 2:00pm.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will speak at the rally as the chief guest.
Party sources said it has taken all-out preparations to show off its organisational strength at the rally by ensuring huge gatherings of party men from all parts of the capital and its adjacent districts.
BDST: 1220 HRS, JULY 12, 2023
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