AL sees huge boost in confidence after rally success

The Awami League says the confidence among its members has increased remarkably after the success of Saturday’s grand rally and it will not give the BNP any chance to rise again.  

About a million people, including leaders and activists from Dhaka city and the adjacent districts, joined the Awami League rally. It was a big event in Dhaka for the party after a long time.

On the other hand, BNP’s grand rally was foiled amid clashes with law enforcers and the Awami League.

Apart from the rally coming to an abrupt end, the party also saw the arrests of Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other members over allegations of police killing, journalist beating, and attack on the chief justice’s residence.

Awami League leaders said they and law enforcers would keep the BNP under huge pressure due to the latter’s recent “terrorist activities and arson attacks”.

Presidium Member AHM Khairuzzaman Liton said Awami League members would work to ensure the safety of people’s lives and properties as the BNP has announced a three-day blockade.

“We will also hold peace marches all over the country during these three days. There will be vigilance in all party offices. Besides, party members will strengthen their guard in every area. They will keep their eyes open. If they see anything suspicious or anyone unknown, they will report to the police immediately,” he said.

Liton also said, “We do not want to give the BNP-Jamaat any chance. They cannot make hartals and blockades successful. We will be watchful along with the people of the country.”

Though BNP’s rally was foiled, its ally Jamaat-e-Islami held their rally peacefully on Saturday. However, Jamaat arranged the rally despite not getting permission from the police.

Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim said, “as a political party, we are always confident.”

He said the BNP always resorts to terror acts instead of carrying out political activities and that is their true character. Instead of working to win people’s support, they burn people as part of their politics, he also said.

Nasim further said BNP members attacked hospitals like the Israeli forces who recently did the same in Gaza. “To avoid conflicts, we will not announce any counter programme during the three-day blockade. Rather, we will continue our peace rallies and marches across the country to spread our message of peace among the people.”

The Awami League leader said they always keep their party members prepared through peace rallies around the country to tackle the negative political activities of the BNP-Jamaat. “As a result, our morale never wanes.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the ruling party president, will address some big gatherings in and outside Dhaka before the 12th general elections. As part of that, the Awami League will hold a divisional rally in Dhaka on the day of inaugurating metro rail services from Agargaon to Motijheel. The prime minister will inaugurate it and be the chief guest at the divisional rally held subsequently.

Awami League Organising Secretary Mirza Azam, who is in charge of the Dhaka division, said, “We will arrange the Dhaka divisional rally on 4 November at Arambagh, Fakirapool, and Motijheel areas. This will be a big gathering of party members in Dhaka that will break all previous records.”

“We are taking all-out preparations for the rally. During the programme, our leader Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will give important messages to the grassroots party members of the Dhaka division,” he added.