Opposition plans another round of hartal this month

BNP-led opposition alliance ponders another round of hartal this month as the four parties are designing their campaign strategy towards forcing the Awami League's ouster.

They are likely to announce a series of programmes, including a hartal on January 26 or 27, from separate public rallies on January 23, sources said.

This time, a top BNP leader said, the hartal would also protest the proposed Public Safety (Special Provision) Bill, which the Cabinet cleared on Monday.

The parties plan to intensify the campaign from February, the sources said. The tentative decisions came after a series of intra-BNP meetings and consultations among alliance partners.

BNP chief Khaleda Zia is expected to announce the new programmes on January 23.

However, Jatiya Party, the second largest alliance component, is not sure about its plans. Party chief H M Ershad, the principal accused in the Manzur murder trial, is scheduled to appear in court on January 23.

A party official said the planned rally would go ahead if the trial schedule changed.

Meanwhile, the two parties yesterday buried hatchets over composition of all-party action councils after five days of negotiations at different levels. Both Khaleda and Ershad personally intervened when their colleagues failed to reach consensus.

In another development, the government's reported willingness to soften its stand has added a new dimension to the political crisis. Political sources say there has been some pressure on both sides to create a favourable climate which could lead to a dialogue ahead of President Clinton's expected visit in March.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina spoke informally to BNP stalwart M Saifur Rahman at the wedding reception of the home minister's son, indicating a change in her approach to the stalemate. She was reported to have told Saifur that she was willing to hold early elections if BNP was ready to talk.

BNP leaders also admit that top government functionaries have indicated acceptance of some key opposition demands including ones related to elections and withdrawal of "political" cases.

BNP insiders say an intensified movement might yield more concessions in a possible negotiated settlement. But BNP has told Awami League leaders that it was unwilling to accept Speaker's mediation.