Grand rally on 28 October: Awami League to take 'aggressive' stance

The ruling Awami League has designated the period from 28 October and the following seven days as a 'sensitive' time. During this timeframe, the ruling party is taking preemptive measures in response to the BNP's extensive preparations for a grand rally in Dhaka and the announcements from other political parties, including Jamaat, to hold rallies on the same day.

To ensure control over the streets of the capital, Dhaka, during this period, the Awami League is gearing up to adopt a more "aggressive" stance. Multiple sources within the party's policymaking body have confirmed these counteractions. 

Alongside the BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has also announced plans to hold a rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel on 28 October. Islami Andolan has also declared its intention to organise a mass rally in Dhaka on 3 November. Meanwhile, the BNP may unveil their next programme following the 28 October grand rally as they continue to work towards their ultimate demand.

On the other hand, the Awami League is set to hold a rally at the south gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on 28 October. A preparatory meeting was convened at the party's central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on Tuesday, outlining the details of this programme. During the meeting, central leaders indicated their intent to adopt an 'aggressive' approach in the coming days.  

Addressing the leaders and workers at the meeting, Obaidul Quader, the General Secretary of the ruling party, stated, "On 28 October, the Awami League should be present on every street of Dhaka, with the Awami League at the forefront and in the rear. The entire city should be flooded only by Awami League members."

He also warned the opposition party, saying, "If anyone attempts to create unrest on that day, we will handle it. We have shown great patience, but our tolerance also has its limits." 

Following the initial meeting, the senior leaders of the party, including Obaidul Quader, reconvened. According to multiple sources present at the meeting held on the seventh floor of the party's central office, they discussed the goal of gathering 1 to 1.2 million people at the 28 October rally.

Additionally, leaders and workers attending the rally were instructed not to arrive empty-handed. Some central leaders suggested that everyone should carry sticks measuring 3-3.5 feet in length, each adorned with a national flag and bearing various messages, including government development slogans.

A leader from Dhaka City's Awami League, who was present at the meeting, informed Prothom Alo that the instruction to bring sticks was not intended to escalate conflicts but was a precautionary measure. Central leaders may also have provided such instructions to deter the BNP. Nevertheless, the current situation appears to be somewhat tense. 

The 14-party alliance, led by the Awami League, convened a meeting Tuesday to discuss the plans about rally of the oppositions, including the BNP. The meeting took place at the residence of Amir Hossain Amu in Iskaton, who serves as the coordinator of this alliance and is a member of the Awami League's advisory council. During the meeting, it was decided that the 14-party alliance would hold a rally in Dhaka on 30 October. 

As reported by multiple sources who were present at the meeting, Amir Hossain Amu is putting emphasis on the importance of tackling the opposition's movements if the national elections are to be conducted as scheduled under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in accordance with the constitution. He stressed that the active participation of the 14-party alliance is necessary in achieving this goal.

In the meeting, prominent leaders were in attendance, including Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon and General Secretary Fazle Hossain Badsha, Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju and General Secretary Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haque Inu and General Secretary Shirin Akhtar, and Tariqat Federation Chairman Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari. 

After the meeting, the coordinator of the 14-party alliance, Amir Hossain Amu, conveyed to newspersons that the 14 parties are prepared to resist any form of conspiracy. They stressed that all actions, including elections, must adhere to the constitution. Any activities that contravene the constitution will be resisted. 

Party sources suggest that the BNP may hold a rally on 28 October and potentially disperse under the pressure of the Awami League and law enforcement agencies. Subsequently, the BNP could plan to obstruct key government facilities. In response, the Awami League is expected to implement a counter programme. Additionally, the Awami League has scheduled a Dhaka divisional rally on 4 November, coinciding with the inauguration of the Agargaon-Motijheel section of the metrorail. In essence, the ruling party is poised to maintain an assertive stance throughout the week. 

If the BNP can be pressured prior to the announcement of the election schedule, the Awami League may face fewer significant challenges leading up to the polls. This could potentially weaken both BNP workers and its allies, as well as help undecided political parties make decisions regarding their participation in the elections.

Awami League Presidium member and Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque shared his perspective on the 28 October counter rally and the prevailing tension, stating, "BNP will likely attempt to cause disruptions leading up to the election. In such a scenario, the Awami League has no choice but to demonstrate its own strength in response."

The Awami League is making extensive preparations for a major rally in Dhaka on 28 October. During a meeting of senior leaders at the central office on Tuesday, an Awami League MP representing a Dhaka constituency announced his intention to bring 10,000 people himself. However, senior leaders expressed their dissatisfaction, with one of them remarking, "Why so few?"

During the meeting, an Upazila Chairman from Dhaka district announced that he would bring 20,000 people. The number of people to be brought by each MP and other public representatives has been fixed. 

Another preparatory meeting for the 28 October rally is scheduled to take place at the Dhaka District Awami League office in Tejgaon on Wednesday. Leaders at all levels, public representatives from the cities, leaders from surrounding districts, and leaders of allied parties have been invited to attend.

An influential leader from the Awami League's youth wing, Jubo League, who spoke to Prothom Alo on the condition of anonymity, expressed concern about the heightened tension surrounding 28 October, attributed to speeches and counter statements by both the ruling party and the opposition.

He said, the central leaders place such great importance on mass mobilisation that it may appear as if the government's very existence depends on it.

In response to this situation, Mirza Azam, the organisational secretary of Awami League's Dhaka division, told Prothom Alo, "BNP has declared its intention to overthrow the government and aims to bring people from all over the country to paralyse Dhaka. The Awami League cannot remain passive. Therefore, the Awami League intends to gather even more people than the BNP to ensure that Dhaka remains unaffected."

The ruling Awami League is carefully assessing Jamaat-e-Islami's announcement to hold a rally in Motijheel on 28 October. Party leaders believe that the Jamaat's announcement has both advantages and disadvantages. 

According to party sources, the Awami League perceives some benefits in the Jamaat's rally call. For over a decade, Jamaat-e-Islami has been treated as a proscribed political organisation by law enforcement agencies. This has not generated a negative reaction from the international community. Using the pretext of suppressing Jamaat on the streets, it may be somewhat easier to quell BNP's activities as well. The presence of Jamaat could also serve as a rationale for law enforcement agencies to prevent BNP from organising a large-scale rally.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Joint Commissioner (Operations), Biplab Kumar Sarkar, informed Prothom Alo that Jamaat-e-Islami will not be permitted to hold a rally, whereas BNP will be allowed to do so. However, the specific venue for BNP's rally is yet to be determined.

Key figures within the ruling party believe that BNP aims to demonstrate to the Western world that they have severed ties with Jamaat-e-Islami. Meanwhile, the Awami League has consistently asserted that Jamaat remains an ally of BNP. The simultaneous street actions of BNP and Jamaat on the same day are expected to validate the Awami League's narrative in this regard. 

Awami League's Organising Secretary, Mirza Azam, stated to Prothom Alo that Jamaat is attempting to create chaos by aligning with BNP, but the Awami League is determined to prevent that from occurring.

* This report was originally published in the print and online editions of prothom Alo and has been rewritten for English edition by Farjana Liakat