The more the obstacles, the bigger the rally

As tens of thousands of BNP supporters defied all odds and joined the rally in Barishal yesterday, the party asked them to unite and fight against the "illegal regime" to save the country.

People want to break free from the clutches of this government, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, urging the followers to join the movement.

"Our position is very clear. Our acting chairman said take back Bangladesh and it will be settled on the streets ... We will form a national government if we are voted to power. We are not alienated from the people. We remain connected to the people," he told the mammoth rally at Bangabandhu Udyan in Barishal.

Tension ran high in the city as incidents of violence were reported from different places in Barishal.

BNP's International Affairs Secretary Ishraque Hossain claimed nine people were injured when his motorcade was attacked in Gournadi upazila around 7:00am yesterday.

Soon afterwards, BNP leaders and activists attacked Jubo League and Chhatra League men in Mahilara area of Gournadi, report our correspondents.

A case was filed in the evening by Mailara Union Jubo League President Rasel Rari against over 100 BNP leaders and activists including Ishraque under the Explosive Substances Act with Gournadi Model Police Station.

Seven people have been arrested so far.

In another incident, BNP leaders alleged that a group of about 50 Awami League men stopped the vehicle of Ishtiaque Aziz Ulfat, president of Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, at Gournadi Bus Stand and forced him to return to Dhaka.

As BNP leaders and activists travelled to Barishal from the districts in the region in the days leading up to the event, several incidents of violence were reported in Bhola and Patuakhali.

Although the event was scheduled to begin at 2:00pm, it started around 11:00am. In small processions, the supporters joined with placards, festoons, banners, drums, and vuvuzela.

Amid the transport strike, BNP supporters travelled by boats, motorcycles and even on foot to reach the city.

Addressing the rally, Fakhrul said "Hasina [Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina] must resign, parliament must be dissolved and the government must hand over power to an impartial caretaker government."

Referring to the PM's comments about a possible famine, he said, "Why is the prime minister talking about a famine now? Only a few days ago, they made claims of development everywhere. People don't want this type of development anymore."

The ruling Awami League has destroyed the achievements of the country one after another through its "misrule and misdeeds", he said.

The attacks and lawsuits are weapons of the "illegal" government, he said. "They attack first and then file cases."

The economy is in a bad shape and crores of taka were siphoned off to Malaysia, Canada and other countries, putting the country at stake, he added.

BNP Standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said people of Barishal made a revolution by attending the rally.

"Today's rally showed that BNP supporters did not need transport to attend the rally," he said.

At a time when the country is going through a critical time, the ruling AL talks about a match, he said, terming the government "irresponsible".

"First resign from the office and then there will be a match," he said, adding that the AL was a third division team while the BNP was a first division one.

BNP Standing Committee Member Selima Rahman said people attending the rally have shown they do not want to see the AL in power.

Vice Chairman Major (retired) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed alleged that the "illegal" government destroyed all the institutions through looting and corruption.

"People have already shown red cards to the government," he said, adding, "We don't want to go to the office. We want a free and fair election."

BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo said a famine could not be averted if the government is not ousted.

The government will be ousted on December 10 because the people have woken up, he said.

Slain BNP leader Abdur Rahim's wife Khaliza Begum said she did not expect justice from the prime minister.

Barishal City BNP Convener Moniruzzaman Faruk chaired the rally.