BNP upbeat about Saturday’s rally

BNP leaders and activists in Chattogram have become much enthusiastic as the party is going to hold a rally under its banner in the city after around six years.

The party declared to organise the “Chattogram divisional grand rally” on Saturday, demanding unconditional release of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

It wanted to arrange the event at Laldighi Maidan but the ground is reserved for a month-long tree fair. So, they have chosen two alternatives -- the space in front of Chattogram Zila Parishad Market in Laldighi and Nur Ahmed Road in Kazir Dewri.

An application has been submitted to the Chattogram Metropolitan Police commissioner in this regard, said Abul Hashem Bakkar, general secretary of BNP’s Chattogram city unit. “We are yet to get permission,” he told The Daily Star yesterday.

On October 27 last year, a rally was held under the banner of Jatiya Oikyafront, an alliance formed before the 11th parliamentary polls comprising BNP, Gonoforum and some other political parties, where Dr Kamal Hossain was present as chief guest.

BNP central leaders including its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addressed the rally on Nur Ahmed Road.

The party, however, held its last public rally in 2012 at Polo Ground, where Khaleda was the chief guest, said Abu Sufian, vice president of BNP’s port city unit.

As Saturday’s gathering will take place after so many years, party members are not only enthusiastic, but also determined to make it a success, said Shahadat Hossain, president of BNP’s Chattogram city unit.

“As part of our preparation, we have organised meetings in 15 thana and 43 ward units,” he said.

Harun-ur-Rashid, BNP central assistant organising secretary (Chattogram division), said it is their democratic right to hold a rally and they hope that police would give them the permission soon.

“In our previous experiences, we saw that the administration gave us permission to hold rally at the eleventh hour,” he said. “This way, they [administration] want to discourage people not to join the rally,” he alleged.

“We hope this event would be jam-packed with participation of people from all strata of life,” he said.

He said they have already had meetings in different districts under Chattogram division. “Leaders and activists from seven adjacent districts will join the grand rally,” he said.

Asked whether BNP would be given permission, Amena Begum, additional commissioner (crime and operation) of CMP, said they would make the decision after considering security issues.

BARISHAL DIVISIONAL RALLY TODAY

BNP will hold its public rally in Barishal city’s Hemayet Uddin Eidgah Maidan this afternoon, reports our correspondent. Fakhrul and other central, divisional and district leaders will address it.

The preparatory committee held a press conference in this regard at its party office in the city yesterday morning.

Partly leaders alleged that law enforcers and activists of Awami League are trying to foil their event by “creating panic” among BNP leaders and activists. They also alleged that pro-ruling party transport organisations are trying to disrupt vehicular movement on roads and water communications.

Among others, the press conference was addressed by Mujibur Rahman Sarwar, joint secretary general of BNP’s district unit and president of Barishal city unit.

Sarwar said they are organising the rally, demanding unconditional release of Khaleda and withdrawal of “false” cases against party members. Price hike of gas and essentials, and other related issues would also be discussed, he added.