Photo: Messenger
The ruling Awami League (AL) has revealed an unyielding determination and affirmed its readiness to thwart any attempts orchestrated by the opposition BNP-Jamaat alliance during the highly anticipated October 28 grand rally in the heart of the capital city.
With a meticulous and comprehensive strategy already in place, AL as the ruling party remains resolute in its commitment towards maintaining the country's stability and safeguarding the government's standing.
While talking to The Daily Messenger, the top leaders of AL have emphasised the deployment of robust security measures and the mobilisation of party leaders and activists to effectively counter any disruptive activities orchestrated by the opposition.
AL insiders said the party will take every possible tactic to keep BNP at bay. They said police may not give permission to BNP to hold its rally in Naya Paltan and ask the party to hold the rally elsewhere.
AL will consider shifting its rally if BNP concedes to the proposal of police to shift its venue from Naya Paltan.
However, the ruling AL wants to gather 500,000 people in Dhaka on 28 October. The central leadership of the party will hold meeting with the leaders and public representatives of Dhaka and nearby upazilas, thanas, wards and unions today (Wednesday).
The party also plans to bring a huge number of people from five upazilas of Dhaka district — Savar, Dohar, Keraniganj, Nawabganj and Dhamrai.
There are 75 wards in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and 64 wards in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).
Sources concerned said instructions have been given to bring at least 2,000 people from each ward of both the city corporations. Jubo League and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) want to gather over 100,000 youths and students in the rally. The other associate organisations would also be asked to gather as many people as possible.
Alongside the five upazilas of Dhaka, leaders and people’s representatives from Gazipur and Narayanganj were also asked to gather people in the city on 28 October.
AL Presidium Member Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya told The Daily Messenger that they are preparing to hold a massive rally on October 28.
"We aim to rally approximately five hundred thousand people on that day to thwart the BNP-Jamaat alliance from executing their malevolent intentions. Should BNP-Jamaat leaders and workers attempt to sow chaos in the capital under the guise of a movement, they can expect a fitting response," he said.
Issuing a stern warning, AL's General Secretary Obaidul Quader emphasised, "We aspire to witness a huge turnout of party leaders and workers akin to the tumultuous sea on October 28. We yearn to perceive the resounding echo of the unsettled Bay of Bengal. While peace remains our ultimate goal, any disruptions will be met with consequences. We have endured much, but our patience has its limits."
Meanwhile, the BNP-Jamaat alliance has outlined their plans for the October 28 event, intending to amass their supporters in the capital with the ultimate goal of compelling the government to relinquish power immediately. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the movement is heading towards its inevitable goal. He said ruling AL's threats, arrests, cases, trials carried out into the night -- nothing can stop the movement now.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam was replying to questions on Tuesday at a press briefing held in the afternoon at the BNP chairperson's office in Gulshan of the capital.
The upcoming showdown between the ruling party and the opposition on October 28 looms as a significant test of strength, underscoring the polarised political landscape and the deep-seated tensions within the nation.
Messenger/JAKIR/Fardin
