by Nawaz Farhin Antara in Dhaka Tribune, July 24, 2023
The BNP has been agitating to fulfil its one-point demand for the resignation of the government through a series of rallies, processions, and marches for several months, and party leaders say they will take to the streets with even more fervour from September.
Senior leaders said they would protest with the promise to not leave the streets until their demand is met.
Dhaka is the main target of the one-point movement, and the BNP is planning to arrange several large gatherings simultaneously to bring down the government.
A BNP insider told Dhaka Tribune that the party’s policymakers are planning to implement a series of programs to force the resignation of the government in compliance with the announced one-point demand. They want to take the movement to the final stage in a short period of time, step by step.
A leader of the party said: “Our movement has entered the final phase. Now we will have daily programs on the streets. Leaders and activists are more energised than before, as Sunday’s youth rally was a success. They are asking for a strict program.”
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that Awami League will be defeated only through a tough movement.
He said: “Undoubtedly, there will be some difference from the previous movement and the involvement of people will increase. The government should be forced to accept the demands through the movement. We will not leave the streets until the demand is met. We are coming up with a strict program soon, but our program will be peaceful. Mass gatherings have been targeted more than youth rallies.”
However, he assured that they would not announce strict programs such as hartals or blockades to avoid street violence.
He further said: “There can be no question of our resorting to violence like hartal. If the government somehow pushes us in that direction, then it is the responsibility of the government. We are doing the movement peacefully; we want to go to the final stage of the movement peacefully.”
Affiliated bodies given instructions
Some mid-level leaders of the party said that the party has indicated to the leaders and activists of divisional cities that they are preparing for a tough movement, with continuous protests in September.
The leaders of like-minded parties to the BNP are expected to participate in the protests. The party plans to strengthen Jubo Dal, Jatiyatabadi Sewchchhasebak Dal, Chhatra Dal, Mohila Dal and other associate bodies for the strict movement.
Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas said: “Strict programs will be launched. We were attacked, Awami League terrorists attacked our march, and our boys resisted it. If we are attacked, we will pay back double. This government’s strategy of countering us with attacks and cases is very old, our party leaders and workers have learned to survive this torture. These obstacles will not stop us from waging a tough movement.”
Swechchhasebak Dal Vice President Saiful Islam Firoz said: “Our workers across the country are ready for a tough movement. We have been systematically strengthening our organizational structures. Now we are waiting for the call to join any kind of rigorous program, no matter the obstacles.”
The Dhaka South and North units of BNP have been the most active in the preparations, because the main activities of the movement will be in Dhaka even though the protests will be nationwide.
Joint convener of BNP’s Dhaka Metropolitan South ANM Saiful Islam said: “We will be on the streets announcing the tough movement. We are ready.”
A district Jubo Dal leader said: “Now, whether it is due to foreign pressure or the people’s pressure, we are marching across the country. We have also come to the rally in Dhaka with the march. We ourselves are no longer afraid, even if there is a case at home. So, we will participate in a movement like this from now on.”
Election preparations ongoing
Party leaders say they have agreed in principle to not contest elections under a party government, and that is why they have taken initiative to build greater unity to realise the demand for a neutral government during the election. The aim is to take to the streets with the party and affiliated organisations united.
According to party sources, the BNP high command is preparing a list of potential candidates for each parliamentary seat ahead of the upcoming elections. Party leaders have been verbally instructed to stay in their respective areas to handle various issues, including carrying out party programs.
BNP leaders have been exchanging greetings with people of different classes and professions at the district level. Potential candidates for the next election are making their presence felt for when the one-point demand has been met.
Asked about the election preparations, Mirza Fakhrul said: “The BNP is an election-oriented party. We are prepared to go to the polls in any situation, but we want that election to be under a neutral government. Right now, the only thing we want is an election neutral government. If the government does not resign, the demand of a neutral government will be established through the street movement.”
https://www.dhakatribune.com/politics/2023/07/24/bnp-threatens-tougher-movement-from-september
