The ruling Awami League has taken a decision to strenuously resist the opposition BNP as the party may start a sit-in in Dhaka in the name of grand rally on 28 October.
The ruling party also suspects that BNP leaders and activists may lay siege to government establishments and important offices by turning Dhaka dysfunctional once the party starts a sit-in.
According to sources at the government and Awami League, the law enforcement agencies and Awami League leaders and activists will jointly resist BNP.
Sources said a final decision is yet to be taken over allowing BNP to hold its grand rally on 28 October. Howver, there is a little chance of BNP being allowed to hold the rally at Naya Paltan. In this regard, an alternative proposal may be given to BNP to hold the rally in another area.
BNP will have to wait for the final decision till the night before 28 October.
BNP has announced that the party will hold a grand rally at Naya Paltan on 28 October. Awami League on Sunday declared the party will also hold a 'peace and development' rally at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram mosque on the same day. Both the parties have applied to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police seeking permission for the rallies.
Awami League sources said police will not allow Awami League to hold the rally if the force does not allow BNP to hold their rally. Under such a circumstance, if BNP tries to hold the rally forcefully, police will strictly use the force on them.
Moreover, Awami League leaders and activists will be on guard at the entry points of the capital. So the law enforcing agency and Awami League leaders and activists will not give any scope to BNP to take to the streets in the capital.
The distance between the venues of rallies of the two major political parties is one and a half kilometers. Both the rallies will be held almost at the same time. Earlier, BNP held rallies at Naya Paltan and Awami League at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram mosque. There were no untoward incidents.
However, sources at the Awami League said they don't think BNP leaders and activists will leave Dhaka after attending the rally. It may be difficult to keep the fight for occupying streets peaceful. BNP has been preparing to bring people from across the country. The law enforcement agency and Awami League leaders and activists have been asked to stay alert to face any situation.
Dhaka city north unit Awami League first held an executive committee meeting at the organisation's office in Tejgaon on Sunday for the preparation of 28 October. Later, a meeting of representatives was held. Awami League presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanok and joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim were present in both of the meetings. Jahangir Kabir Nanok is in charge of coordination of Dhaka city north.
The leaders who attended both of the meetings said Jahangir Kabir and Nasim hinted BNP may start a sit-in in the name of its rally. As a result, they asked leaders and activists not to make any concession. The central leaders said Awami League leaders and activists have to take to the streets with a determination that BNP will not be allowed to take to the streets.
Awami League afraid of Dhaka deadlock
Sources at the government and Awami League said they are certain that BNP will bring huge number of supporters to Dhaka on 28 October. If they become successful in it, they would start a sit-in in Dhaka. At the time, pro-Islamist parties including Jamaat will also join the event. If such a situation is created, the opposition leaders and activists will have to be removed through bloodshed. Meanwhile, there is a fear of western pressure and US sanction. It would be difficult to hold the election in time amid the clashes and violence.
There are two ways ahead for Awami League. One is not to allow BNP to hold the rally on 28 October. This would be a way to avoid violence despite criticism. Another is, steps have to be taken so that BNP cannot gather a huge number of people at the rally. If Awami League wants to do that, the movement of transports has to be restricted. The vehicles have to be halted in the name of searching. This will invite criticism.
Awami League leaders said BNP has to be given a final push before the announcement of the election schedule. Otherwise they will make the highest effort to foil the elections. They will not be able to be organised if the BNP is tackled on 28 October. Then challenges of the government to announce the schedule and arrange the election will decrease.
Sources at the government and Awami League said it will be observed till the last minute whether BNP wants to hold a rally on 28 October or they want to do anything else.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, Awami League two presidium members said BNP is trying to make its last efforts. It is also a situation do or die situation for the Awami League. It would be difficult to hold the election if Awami League fails to tackle the BNP. The law enforcement agency is under full control of the Awami League government. So Awami League will not leave the chance to corner BNP.
Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury, presidium member of Awami League, is in charge of coordination of Dhaka city south unit Awami League.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, he said the streets of Dhaka city will be under the control of Awami League. All-out preparations are being taken for this.
Preparation of Awami League
Central Awami League wants city north and south units to play key roles on 28 October. Other associate bodies including Jubo League and Swechasebak will join them. Leaders and activists from nearby districts will join. At the meeting of representatives of Dhaka city north, an instruction has been given to bring at least 2,000 people from each ward. There are 64 wards in Dhaka city north.
City north unit Awami League office secretary Williiam Proloy Somaddar said Awami League leaders and activists will bring out processions in wards of Dhaka city north unit as part of preparation on 28 October. This will continue till 27 October. All-out resistance will be built up on 28 October.
Dhaka city south unit Awami League will hold an extended meeting at the central office at Bangabandhu Avenue on Tuesday. South unit office secretary Riaz Uddin said, "We are in a hard line this time. Preparations are being taken to tackle any situation."
Awami League sources said instructions have been given to gather 300,000-400,000 people on 28 October, whether it is a rally or any programme for resistance. If the BNP does not get the permission, police will play the key role. Awami League will take to the streets and extend assistance to the law enforcers. If BNP holds the rally, Awami League's main goal is to show a big gathering of its own.
*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print and online editions, has been rewritten in English by Rabiul Islam.