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Published : 10 May 2025, 09:07 PM
Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has issued a one-hour ultimatum to outlaw the Awami League as a political party.
Speaking at a “mass” gathering at Dhaka’s Shahbagh at 7:30pm on Saturday, he said: “Interim [government], ban the Awami League. I’m giving you one hour.
“If the announcement doesn’t come within this hour, we will take control of the area near InterContinental Dhaka hotel to Banglamotor.”
He added, “We are not retreating anymore. We will leave the streets only after the Awami League is banned. We will announce even tougher programmes.”
Meanwhile, an emergency meeting of the Advisory Council of the interim government has began at the chief advisor’s residence shortly after 8:30pm.
A press conference is scheduled to be held after the meeting, where the government is expected to make its position clear.
A “mass” gathering at Shahbagh began after 3pm on Saturday with three demands, including the ban on the Awami League.
Joining the demonstration were members and leaders from NCP, Islami Chhatra Shibir, United People’s Bangladesh (UP), and organisations linked to the July Uprising.
At the rally, Hasnat said: “Even if they try to silence me with their conspiracies, you must remain on the streets until this demand is met.”
“Fascism began here at Shahbagh in 2013, and it will end here too. Our views and approaches may differ, but we are united in our resolve to see the Awami League banned. Just as Nimrod and Pharaoh fell, so too will Hasina.”
Also present at the gathering were Sarjis Alam, chief organiser for the NCP’s northern region, and and UP Bangladesh’s convenor Ali Ahsan Junaid.
