AL activists keep a tight grip on the streets

GBNEWS24DESK//

As the BNP staged a rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office, ruling Awami League stayed on Dhaka streets throughout the day yesterday and held programmes at five points.

The BNP organised a countrywide demonstration to press home its 10-point demand, including election under a non-partisan interim government, and to protest the price hike of electricity.

Even though AL leaders claimed that their programmes, including rallies and discussions, were not to counter the BNP’s rally, party insiders said these were counter programmes.

At the events, the AL leaders hinted at tackling the opposition on the streets and asked the BNP to join the next national election.

The AL’s first programme of the day was a discussion organised by Dhaka city (south) unit AL in front of the party’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue where AL leaders claimed that the streets were under their control and they would be in future.

They also urged all activists to remain on the streets to resist the BNP until the next election.

“Get ready to face challenges ahead. We have to prevent the chaos,” AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader said at the discussion.

“They will take to the streets; we are already on the streets and will remain in future. Conspirators will not be successful.”

Pointing at the BNP, he said, “Why are you afraid of taking part in elections? Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir [BNP secretary general] sometimes becomes angry fearing that they will lose in the elections …. If you have so much popularity, prove that through participating in the elections.”

AL Presidium Member Quamrul Islam said, “Let’s prepare to take part in the next election and resist this evil force [BNP-Jamaat]. Their programmes are not to counter the BNP’s ones.”

Speaking at the event, Hasan Mahmud, information minister and also AL joint general secretary, said, “I’m urging all the party men to be alert. We will be on the streets until the next election is held. We will return home after ensuring victory of boat [AL’s electoral symbol].”

At Jubo League’ “peace” rally at Farmgate, AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, said, “Jubo League always protests injustice. You will have to be ready. The anti-independence forces cannot be allowed to raise their heads.”