The BNP remains adamant about the installation of a non-partisan government to oversee the upcoming parliamentary elections, a demand that the Awami League has rejected
Published : 27 Oct 2023, 02:19 AM
Ahmed Ullah from Habiganj has been a rickshawpuller in Dhaka for nearly three decades. He has witnessed a fair share of significant events. However, as political tensions simmer in the country, his main concern is his livelihood.
He also frets about his safety amidst potential conflicts or violence during the political rallies of two opposing parties scheduled for Oct 28 in Dhaka.
"If I hit the road, there's a risk of accidents, fights, and personal difficulties. Work may come to a halt, and road traffic may worsen. Rallies typically mean traffic jams, and I'll be caught up in the chaos," he said.
Neither the BNP nor the Awami League have budged from their stance on the issue of the election-time government as they gear up for duelling rallies.
A sense of unease stemming from the political deadlock is not unique to Ahmed Ullah -- the concern is shared by the public at large.
The BNP, advocating for a nonpartisan government to oversee the national election, has called the rally to kick off the 'final push' of their one-point campaign leading up to the ballot.
Despite awaiting police approval for the rally in Naya Paltan, the BNP remains undaunted by the Awami League's 'intimidation attempts' and police arrests of their loyalists.
Simultaneously, the Awami League has summoned a 'peace rally' at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque, with intentions of asserting control over the capital on the same day.
Parties aligned with the BNP's anti-government movement have also announced gatherings for Oct 28. Although the Jamaat-e-Islami has not officially allied itself with the BNP's movement against the government, it plans to hold a rally at the Shapla intersection in Motijheel.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan revealed that the Dhaka Metropolitan Police had not yet decided on granting permission to any political party for the rally. However, it is improbable that Jamaat will receive approval as it is not a registered political party.
To prevent violence around the gatherings of the two opposing camps, the police are ramping up security measures across the city. The Rapid Action Battalion has announced the establishment of checkpoints at the entrances of Dhaka in preparation for the rallies.
Various foreign missions in the country, including the embassy of the United States, have been actively advocating for free, fair, and violence-free elections in Bangladesh. The United States has initiated a new visa policy, withholding visas from those perceived as "undermining" the election process and their close relatives.
A pre-election monitoring team from the US has recommended "meaningful" dialogue between political parties to resolve the impasse, a suggestion supported by the Bangladeshi government.
Harun-or-Rashid, a retired professor of the political science department at Dhaka University, does not anticipate any "major flashpoints" after assessing the current political situation. He believes that both the people and the country's development partners want a violence-free environment in the run-up to the election.
This desire applies to both the ruling Awami League and the BNP, he says.
He also suggests that the BNP should participate in the elections to pursue its one-point demand, as the electoral process is the only viable forum to achieve it under the existing circumstances.
He remains optimistic about the prospects of a free and fair election this time around.
The unrest over Oct 28 dates back to 17 years ago when, in 2006, the Awami league, BNP and Jamaat called rallies at the same time, culminating in violence followed by an emergency situation.
WHAT HAPPENED IN 2006
On this day 17 years ago, the BNP was supposed to hand over power to a caretaker government leading up from an anxious political situation. The Awami League and Jamaat supporters engaged in a clash in the morning at Purana Paltan intersection and several Jamaat leaders and supporters died.
The Awami League questioned who would head the caretaker government and the rules stipulated that the chief justice, who had just retired, would lead the non-partisan government. However, the term of the chief justices was stretched by two years during the BNP government and brought forth KM Hasan as head of the caretaker government.
However, Hasan was once the international affairs secretary of the BNP, and the Awami League rejected his appointment and took to the streets. Hasan then declined to take the responsibility.
Khaleda Zia then appointed the then president Iajuddin Ahmed to lead the caretaker government, skipping several steps of the constitution in the process, before stepping down as the prime minister.
After the clashes on Oct 28 got out of police’s hand, the Border Guard Bangladesh was deployed in the evening. But violent clashes still continued. And 11 days before the general election, Iajuddin stepped down and the army took control as Fakhruddin Ahmed swore in as the chief of the new caretaker government.
Although the election was supposed to be held within 90 days, another two years went by without a people-appointed government. After the Awami League won the election in December 2008, the High Court scrapped the caretaker government system.
POLICE EFFORTS ‘FAIL’
The DMP wanted to move the parties from the streets to the field and sent letters to the Awami League and the BNP mentioning two different sites for their rallies. But both parties replied that their preparations were almost done and no changes could be made not.
The BNP confirmed the attendance of 100,000-125,000 people in their rally while the Awami League said 200,000 people would attend their rally. Police are yet to greenlight any of the rallies.
Mahid Uddin, DMP additional commissioner (crime), said: “We are looking at the replies to the letters we sent the two big parties positively. Let’s see what decision is made.”
“They are saying [they will hold rallies] in the streets. But we haven’t made any decision yet. We will tell you the details on Friday.”
Police said security would be heightened to stop any violence while the Rapid Action Battalion is stationing checkpoints at different entrances to Dhaka.
BNP ACTIVISTS TO GATHER IN ADVANCE
The BNP is still awaiting permission from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police to organise its 'grand rally' at Naya Paltan. The party has expressed concerns about the mass arrests of activists in the lead-up to the rally.
The BNP leadership has indicated that party loyalists from all over the country, not just Dhaka, will participate in the rally. They plan to draw on past experiences to ensure a successful event, as they've encountered obstacles from the police before rallies.
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of the BNP, said that various committees, including those in Dhaka Metropolitan North and South, as well as neighbouring districts, have been formed to undertake comprehensive preparations for the event. They have also established a volunteer team to maintain order at the rally.
Rizvi assured that the mass gathering would be 'entirely peaceful'. He stressed that the government's threats, intimidation, legal cases, and arrests would not deter their resolve to 'reinstate democracy' in the country.
He pointed out that the government has been facing criticism and resistance across the country, with people rallying against misrule. In the ongoing democratic struggle, he remains confident that the people will prevail and establish their rights.
Rizvi also claimed that numerous leaders and activists were being arrested on 'trumped-up charges', with over 26,000 people accused in more than 400 'false cases' across the country, as of Oct 25. Out of these, 3,620 people have been arrested.
AL PREPARED FOR 'CONFRONTATION'
In the face of the BNP's proposed rally, the ruling Awami League is actively implementing a plan to maintain vigilance throughout the capital to prevent any violence on Oct 28.
On that day, the Awami League will maintain a 'robust presence' on the streets of Dhaka, according to party leaders.
Central and metropolitan leaders of the party have said that members of all affiliated organisations, including Jubo League, Chhatra League, and Krishak League, are making thorough preparations.
Awami League adherents will be stationed at key locations in the capital, and pavilions will be set up at important junctures. Party lawmakers and councilors will also be on the ground with their followers.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said the ruling party is determined not to allow any instability around the event, emphasising their intention to respond to any attack with countermeasures.
AFM Bahauddin Nasim, joint general secretary of the Awami League, said party leaders and activists would remain vigilant until the elections to maintain peace and order in the country.
Jahangir Kabir Nanak, presidium member of the Awami League, emphasised their readiness to deal with any potential threats to safeguard the lives and property of the people. They are fully prepared to respond strongly to any attempt to incite fear.
Tanvir Hasan Saikat, general secretary of the Dhaka University Chhatra League, said members of the organisation will station themselves at the TSC and Shahbagh to prevent any disruptive activities on the campus.