BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Thursday alleged that an evil quarter has been exploding crude bombs with slogans in BNP’s name as part of a plot to have the opposition leaders and activists arrested in ‘false’ cases. “We’re now seeing bomb explosions happening across Dhaka city with slogans in the name of BNP. Their aim is to get the BNP leaders arrested in any way,” he said. Read more: BNP at IGP’s door; Seeks remedy for ‘fictitious’ cases Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Abbas also claimed that a group within the government is spreading false propaganda centing the BNP rally in the capital on December 10 to mislead people. “One thing is clear we want to hold the rally peacefully. We won’t create any chaos in our peaceful programme,” he said. He said the government has got panicked unnecessarily over BNP’s rally. “We don't want any conflict as this is just our divisional rally.” The BNP leader, however, alleged that the government has been indulging in serious suppressive acts centring the rally. “We’re not afraid of it. We’ve taken it as part of our rally.” He said their party has been taking all-out preparations to make the Dhaka rally a success. “Our leaders and activists are holding meetings across Dhaka Division. Preparatory meetings are also being held at Nayapaltan and Gulshan in Dhaka. We’ll hold the rally at Nayapaltan. People will come from outside to join it and we’ll do whatever is necessary to arrange the rally,” Abbas said. Replying to a question, he said their party only sought Nayapaltan, not any other venue, for their December-10 rally. Read more: Allow us to hold Dec 10 rally at Nayapaltan: Fakhrul The BNP leader said their party had over a hundred rallies at Nayapaltan without any trouble earlier. “What would be the problem if we arrange the rally at Nayapaltan on December 10? Efforts are on to mislead our leaders and workers. But don't be confused.” Asked what their party may do if it is not finally permitted to hold the rally at Nayapaltan, he said time will say what to do.

BNP on Thursday urged Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun to take steps for withdrawing the fresh ‘fictitious’ cases filed by police against the party leaders and activists. A four-member BNP delegation, led by led by party Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu, met the IGP at the Police Headquarters and also handed him over a letter from BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in this regard. The delegation went to the Police Headquarters around 12:50 pm and had an hour-long meeting with the IGP over the fresh cases against the party leaders and activists and the party’s planned rally on December 10 in the capital. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Bulu said fictitious cases are being filed against BNP leaders and followers by police and ruling party activists after hurling crude bombs. “Our people are being arrested in fictitious cases. So, we, on behalf of our secretary general, submitted a memorandum to the IGP in this regard.” He said they also told the IGP that BNP leaders and workers are being harassed and their houses are being raided to arrest them in fictitious cases. “We’ve sought a remedy for this and he assured us of looking into the matters.” The BNP leader said their party’s 50 leaders and workers were arrested from the High Court gate though they obtained bail from the apex court. Read more: December-10 rally: BNP delegation sits with IGP He said a ‘fictitious’ case was filed in Narsingdi against BNP men accusing them of exploding crude bombs chanting slogans in the name of Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman and urging people to come to BNP’s Dhaka rally. “Why should we explode bombs when we invite people to come to Dhaka?” With the letter of the BNP Secretary General, Bulu said, a list of 169 fictitious cases--filed in between August 22 and November 26 against 6,723 identified and 15,050 unidentified people-- were given to the IGP. Besides, he said a list of 559 arrested BNP leaders and activists was also submitted to the police boss.  About BNP’s December 10 rally, he said the police officials raised the issue of the rally. “We’ve said we want to hold it (meeting) at Nayapaltan. We sent two letters (to DMP) on November 13 and November 20 seeking Nayapaltan for our meeting venue. We didn't want any second venue.” He said the police authorities urged them to arrange the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan promising them to extend all-out support in this regard. “We said it is not our issue today…Our standing committee and the secretary general will take a decision on it.” The other delegation members were BNP Joint Secretary General Sayed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Publicity Secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie and Legal Affairs Secretary Kaiser Kamal. High police officials, including Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq, were also present at the meeting. Read more: BNP to avoid AL's trap over December-10 rally: Gayeshwar Earlier on Tuesday, the DMP permitted BNP to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on December 10 on 26 conditions. However, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged the government to necessary take steps so that their party can hold the rally at Nayapaltan instead of Suhrawardy Udyan on the day.

A four-member BNP delegation sat in a meeting with Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun on Thursday at the police headquarters to talk about permission to hold the party’s rally at Nayapaltan on December 10 and the arrests of party leaders and workers. The delegation, led by led by BNP Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu, went to the Police Headquarters around 12:50 pm and the meeting started around 1pm. Read more: BNP won't be allowed to orchestrate violence surrounding December 10 rally: Quader The other delegation members are BNP Joint Secretary General Sayed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Publicity Secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie and Legal Affairs Secretary Kaiser Kamal. Talking to UNB, Annie said they will urge the IGP to allow their party to hold the rally at Nayapaltan instead of Suhrawardy Udyan and to stop the arrest of the party leaders and activists ahead of the rally. Read more: DMP gives BNP 26 conditions for holding Dec 10 rally at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan Earlier on Tuesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) permitted BNP to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on December 10 on 26 conditions. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged the government to necessary take steps so that their party can hold the rally at Nayapaltan instead of Suhrawardy Udyan on the day.

Transport owners will enforce an indefinite strike beginning at 6:00 am on Thursday in all eight districts of Rajshahi division to press home for various demands ahead of the BNP’s rally on Saturday.   The main opposition BNP said that the strike was called to spoil their rally, but the transport owners rejected the allegation. Safakat Manjur, president of Rajshahi Divisional Transport Owners’ Association, said they took the decision following a joint meeting at the office of Rajshahi Road Transport Group on Wednesday. The strike has no link with the BNP’s rally as they gave an ultimatum to meet their demands earlier, he said.    Read more: BNP gears up for Saturday’s rally in Rajshahi On November 26, the Divisional Transport Owners and Workers Solidarity Council gave an ultimatum to the authority concerned to meet their 10-point demand by November 30. They had threatened to go for the indefinite strike from December 1 if the demands were not met by the deadline. Safkat said they called the strike for various demands including the scrapping of the Road Transport Act 2018 and the ban on movement of illegal three-wheelers and battery-driven auto-rickshaws on highways by November 30. He said all types of passenger and goods carrying vehicles will remain under purview of the strike. “We will call off the strike if any assurance comes in favour of our demands”, he said.   Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, an organising secretary of the BNP and coordinator of the mass rally committee, said the strike was called to refrain the leaders and activists from joining the rally.    He said that the rally would be organised successfully at any cost. The BNP on September 27 announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional and big cities. The party began the rallies by holding the first one in Chattogram on October 12.  Transport owners and workers called strikes ahead of all the rallies in various cities, except in Chattogram and Cumilla. The BNP will end its divisional rallies through a mass gathering in Dhaka city on December 10. Read more: No transport strike during BNP’s Dhaka rally: Obaidul Quader

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said if the BNP wants to orchestrate violence surrounding its December 10 rally in the capital, the ruling party will take strict measures to stop it with the support of the people. Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, was speaking with the media at the secretariat Wednesday. "Why did the BNP set December 10 for its rally? Did not the party know the history of Bangladesh?" he asked. "During the Liberation War in 1917, the killing of intellectuals was carried out in Bangladesh from December 10 to 14," Quader said. The AL leader also said the BNP did not choose Suhrawardy Udyan as the venue of its rally, a historical place where Pakistani occupation forces surrendered in 1971 and where all major rallies and national conferences of the ruling party are held. "Why did the BNP choose to hold its rally in a small area in front of its office, where the space is around 35,000 square feet only?" he asked. On September 27, the BNP announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional and big cities. The party began the rallies by holding the first one in Chattogram on October 12.  The BNP will end its divisional rallies through a mass gathering in Dhaka city on December 10. Read more: BNP gears up for Saturday’s rally in Rajshahi    

BNP is set to hold its ninth-divisional rally in Rajshahi city on Saturday (December 3) with enthusiasm after Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) gave it permission. The approval for BNP to hold its rally at Madrasa Ground in Rajshahi came on eight conditions, RMP Additional Deputy Commissioner Rafiqul Alam told UNB on Wednesday. BNP can hold the rally at the venue from 2pm to 5pm on that day as per the condition. The party has to seek permission from the authorities concerned for using the venue as only RMP’s permission is not enough for holding the rally. Read more: If Khaleda joins BNP’s Dec 10 rally, court will take steps: Home Minister Any anti-state activities or statements at the rally venue are prohibited, according to another condition. It also says that no propaganda or distribution of leaflets will be allowed, and no procession can be brought out from the venue. All activities of the rally should be kept inside the venue and completed by the deadline, it says. All security measures, including installing CCTV cameras, vehicle scanners and metal detectors at the venue should be arranged by BNP. The party will be responsible if law and order situation deteriorates at the rally. “Legal action will be taken if BNP fails to comply with any of the conditions,” said RMP official Rafiqul. Meanwhile, the party leaders alleged that police were harassing by arresting and filing cases against BNP leaders and activists in various districts ahead of the rally, said advisor to BNP Chairperson Mizanur Rahman Minu at a press briefing at the party office in Malopara of the metropolis. Read more: DMP gives BNP 26 conditions for holding Dec 10 rally at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan “At least 50 leaders were arrested last night,” said Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu, BNP’s organising secretary and rally committee coordinator. In another development, Rajshahi Divisional Road Transport Owners' Association threatened to enforce a strike in all eight districts of Rajshahi division from December 1 for an indefinite period. They called the strike to press home their 11-point demand, including the scrapping of the Road Transport Act 2018 and the ban on movement of illegal three-wheelers and battery-driven auto-rickshaws on highways by November 30. However, the party leaders are hopeful that it will be the largest rally in the country with at least 15 lakh people joining the rally. “We will make the rally a success at any cost,” said Ruhul Kuddus. As part of their ongoing movement, BNP on September 27 announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuels, the death of five party men in previous police action in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Jashore, and to ensure the freedom of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Read more: BNP's rally the cue for Rajshahi transport owners to strike BNP has already arranged rallies in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal, Faridpur, Sylhet and Cumilla, braving various obstacles and transport strikes. BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government — a demand sharply rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not allow it to happen. BNP will conclude the divisional rallies through a mass gathering in Dhaka city on December 10, coinciding with International Human Rights Day.

If BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia attends the party’s December 10 rally in Dhaka, court will take necessary steps, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said today (November 30, 2022). “Khaleda Zia is out of jail on condition, and if she joins the public rally, the court will take steps,” the minister said while speaking at an annual training programme of Bangladesh Police Women Network in Dhaka’s Rajarbagh area. Read more: DMP gives BNP 26 conditions for holding Dec 10 rally at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan BNP received permission to hold their rally at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on December 10 and the government has allowed them to conduct it smoothly, the home minister said, adding, “If they initiate any kind of violence, it will be a big mistake.” BNP initially sought permission to hold the rally at either Suhrawardy Udyan or Manik Mia Avenue. They got permission to hold the event at Suhrawardy Udyan as Manik Mia Avenue, where the National Parliament is located, is a restricted area, said the minister.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Tuesday permitted BNP to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on December 10 on 26 conditions. A notification was issued in this regard from the DMP headquarters, signed by Deputy Police Commissioner (Headquarters and Admin) Abdul Momen, on behalf of the DMP commissioner. Following BNP’s application, DMP permitted the party to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Shahbagh instead of Nayapaltan, as it may cause traffic jam and public suffering. BNP can hold the rally at the venue from 12pm to 4:30pm on December 10, according to the notification. READ: People to give fitting reply to govt’s repressive acts through movement: Fakhrul BNP has to seek permission from the authorities concerned for using the venue, mentioning the 26 conditions, as only DMP permission is not enough for this purpose, it said. Anti-state activities and statements at the rally venue are prohibited, read the conditions. Besides, no propaganda or leaflet distribution will be allowed, and no procession can be brought out from the venue. All security measures, including installing CCTV cameras, vehicle scanners and metal detectors at the venue should be taken by the party. An adequate number of volunteers (with visible ID cards) should be deployed at the venue under the party’s own management. The party will be responsible if the law and order situation deteriorates at the rally, said the DMP notification. All activities of the rally should be kept inside the venue and completed by the timeframe. If BNP fails to comply with any of the conditions, the permission will be cancelled immediately, DMP said in the notification. Contacted, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said they received the DMP's letter regarding the permission. “But we’ll arrange the rally in front of our party office at Nayapaltan.” BNP publicity affairs secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anne told UNB that their party did not seek permission to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan. “We sought permission to hold the rally at Nayapaltan, not at Suhrawardy Udyan.  Our party is determined to hold the rally at Nayapaltan as per our previous decision,” he said. Anne, however, said BNP standing committee will take final decision in this regard after considering the overall situation. Earlier on November 15, a BNP delegation met DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq and sought permission to hold their much-talked-about Dhaka rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office on December 10. READ: Strict action if anyone creates anarchy: Information Minister The DMP Commissioner, however, asked BNP to give names of other venue options. As part of their ongoing movement, BNP on September 27 announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuels, the death of five party men in previous police action in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Jashore, and to ensure the freedom of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. BNP has already arranged rallies in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal,  Faridpur, Sylhet and Cumilla braving various obstacles and transport strikes. BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government — a demand sharply rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not allow it to happen. BNP will conclude the divisional rallies through a mass gathering in Dhaka city on December 10, coinciding with International Human Rights Day.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday warned that the people will give a fitting reply to the government's repressive acts through a strong movement. "Our seven leaders and workers have so far been shot dead while two others were tortured to death by the Awami League cadres in our ongoing movement. A former MP also lost his life today (Monday) due to their torture,” he said. The BNP leader said people have woken up against the government’s repression and suppression.” We believe that we’ll be able to avenge the death of Shahjahan Khan through the current movement as the people will give the government a fitting reply." The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to journalists after consoling the family members of Khan, the former MP of Patuakhali-3 Constituency, at LabAid Hospital in the city’s Dhanmondi area. read more: Govt conspires to cross election hurdles by putting BNP leaders in jail: Fakhrul On November 4 Khan was injured critically in an attack allegedly by the Awami League activists in Telikhai area on his way to Barishal to join BNP’s divisional rally from Patuakhali. He was admitted to a hospital in Patuakhali and later shifted to LabAid Hospital on November 22 as his condition deteriorated. Khan breathed his last at the same hospital at 10am on Monday while undergoing treatment at the age of 71. Herring the news of his death, Fakhrul and the party’s other senior leaders rushed to the hospital and talked to the bereaved family members. Fakhrul said Khan’s death was not a natural one as the ruling party men beat him indiscriminately, leaving him seriously injured. “One of his kidneys was damaged and the blood of his entire body became toxic due to tremendous beating.” "A serious vacuum for nationalist politics in the southern region has been created through the demise of Shahjahan Khan,” he observed. He also recalled the former MP’s contributions to BNP saying he was a guardian of the people of the southern region as he carried out struggle throughout his life for establishing their rights and ensuring their welfare. On behalf of BNP, its Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul expressed deep shock at the death of Khan. He also prayed for the salvation of Khan’s departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members. The BNP leader paid homage to Khan by standing in solemn silence for a while in front of his mortal remains at the hospital.

The BNP rally supposed to be held on 10th December in Dhaka has become a point of near conflict already. BNP wants to hold it at Naya Paltan in front of its office and the AL government insists that this won’t be allowed. With a promised crowd of a million they must go to the Paltan Maidan. Clearly, it’s become the first significant test of will between the two parties and a foretaste of things to come. Both have declared their positions to be non-negotiable. And both parties have said that they have upped the political ante and pushed it into a conflict space. Who will blink first or will no one remain to be seen? And so what happens next? BNP position BNP has been holding a series of rallies all over the country and it’s going to be apexed by the Dhaka meet. In each of the meetings, the crowd has been high despite transport strikes and so on. Supporters have arrived even two or three days before. It’s been the best BNP show for years. Read: Amid relative ease, BNP’s 8th divisional rally begins in Cumilla BNP has said that it considers the Dhaka rally the peak and statements around December 10 have been many. The objective as stated was to “take over” the city of Dhaka so to speak and have it so full of BNP supporters that as per BNP, AL/GOB presence will be marginalized. BNP has asked its supporters from all over the country in the city so that Dhaka has more BNP supporters than all others.  Expected crowd estimates have tanged from 5 lakhs to several millions. Going by the crowd size elsewhere this estimate is not wild. So why would BNP want to go for a smaller space ? BNP has not explained yet. AL and GOB position AL has said that its workers will be “guarding” various points of the city and be present everywhere.  They have declared that if the BNP or crowd goes out of control they will not take it too kindly and will act and let none go unpunished. The IG of Police while participating in a talk show has been direct and said that any large BNP meeting  held  any place that is not sanctioned by the authorities will not be tolerated. He has sounded a warning that it may lead to a law and order situation and the police are responsible for maintaining that. He referred to the constitution as well saying meetings are subject to permission given. And no permission has been given as none have been sought. Read: BNP can hold rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on December 10: Home Minister There should be no doubt that the scenario is being primed up for a “showdown” between the two forces, the AL/GOB and the Opposition.  No matter what happens the situation can go chaotic. BNP sees this as political mobilization and the AL sees it as an excuse to create unrest and pile on pressure. BNP has said that there will be no election with the AL in power and it will be removed through a movement. And 10th is a final kick off of the final lap. AL has said, it’s all BNP talk and it’s ready to confront any situation. The IG reminded that the 2014 valence cost several police lives and many disabling injuries. BNP also has a long list of grievances.  So they all seem to be crashing towards a conflict. One wonders given all the hardline positions taken,  if any party can retreat or not from them now. If violence does occur, crowds spilling all over the city as BNP claims will, AL and the police won’t take it lying down. What happens next seems more appropriate than ever before.