Politics confrontational again

The Awami League and the BNP are confronting each other once again over observing the second anniversary of the 5 January 2014 ‘one-sided’ elections. Both the parties, like last year, have announced programmes and counter programmes at Suhrawardy Udyan on the same day.

After BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia met with senior leaders of the party on 30 December, they decided to hold a public rally at Suhrawardy Udyan. They sent application seeking permission for the meeting to the police on the next day. BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the 5 January meeting after a joint meeting of the party.

Meanwhile, AL also announced a programme to hold rallies at 18 points in Dhaka metropolitan including Suhrawardy Udyan. AL also issued a statement saying it will also hold processions and rallies in the district and upazila level. Other than that, the party will organise a photo exhibition on last year’s unrest at the Shilpakala Academy from 5 to 7 January.

Asked about whom police will permit to hold rally, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Maruf Hossain Sardar said they will verify after receiving applications from both parties. The decision will be taken after that.

AL sources said, the government thinks that it is not possible for BNP to create a situation like last year’s 5 January. But government is still about to give the party a chance to stir up agitation. The government does not want BNP to reorganise and stand up after the upset in the municipality polls. Government thinks that the leaders and activists of BNP will get a boost if it can manage a big public gathering. And that is why government does not want to take any chance.

A meeting was called at AL chief Sheikh Hasina’s political office on Sunday afternoon regarding the programme. The presidents and general secretaries of the party’s associate and like-minded organisations, president and general secretary of Dhaka city AL, all the party MPs of Dhaka and both mayors of Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations were called in the meeting. AL general secretary Ashraful Islam urged all units to make the programme a successful one.

AL presidium committee member Obaidul Quader is set to lead the party’s programme at Suhrawardy Udyan. Asked about it, Quader said, “Permission has been asked from DMP for every spot. If BNP has asked for the same spot, and police gives them permission, then we will move away.”

“We are observing the programme for the last two years. We will observe it this time also. But this is actually not a rally. It will be somewhat like human chain.”

BNP observes ‘Democracy killing day’ on 5 January to mark the day of 10th parliamentary election in 2014, where AL celebrates it as ‘Victory Day for Democracy’. The BNP-led 20 party alliance called a non–stop blockade programme after it was barred from holding any programme last year. A number of people died and many vehicles were torched in violence and petrol bomb attacks during the three-month long blockade and strike.

BNP sources said, their main motive is to remind the people about the farcical election of 5 January, 2014. The leaders and the activists can be also unified through different programmes. Such programmes immediately after the municipal elections will incite anger among the people. This will go against the government. BNP will get sympathy of the people if government prevents their programme. The government will be criticised.

Talking to Prothom Alo last night, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said calling for a counter programme at the same time and place means the government has no intention of allowing the opposition to hold any programme. It is extremely undemocratic behaviour.

BNP joint general secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed his surprise at AL’s call to hold the programme at the same venue. He said last night that this displayed their fascist behaviour.

BNP’s press conference: BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in a press conference on Saturday said two years ago, democracy was killed on 5 January in the name of election. The election was done without people’s mandate. The government was then formed through a farcical drama after the election in which almost all of the democratic parties were absent. That government is still in power.

He said, “We recognise 5 January, 2014 as a Democracy Killing Day. As part of our movement for restoration of democracy and marking 5 January we’ve decided to hold a peaceful rally on the day at Suhrawardy Udyan.”

Fakhrul said they have already sought permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police and the Suhrawardy Udyan authorities for the programme. He also said that they hope the government and the authorities concerned will help make the rally a success and allow systematic continuation of democracy.

BNP on Saturday in a joint meeting also decided that all district units will also observe the day by holding discussions in their respective offices on the day. Other than that, the party also decided to hold programme marking the 80th birth anniversary of Ziaur Rahman on 19th January by hoisting national and party flag in all the party offices across the country. The party will also pay respect at Ziaur Rahman’s grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 10 am and will hold a discussion.

AL’s programme: The ruling party will also hold separate programmes at Purabi Cinema hall at Mirpur-12, Shyampur-Jurain rail gate, Demra-Jatrabari ground, Badda-Rampura petrol pump, Dhanmondi road 32, Mirpur-1 circle, Lalbagh, Gulshan, Sutrapur, Tejgaon, Sabujbagh-Khilgaon, Uttara, Kamrangirchor, Mohammadpur Town Hall, Kafrul, Gulistan-Bangabandhu Square, and Banani-Mohakhali.
Prothom Alo