No objection to BNP's hartal as long as it is peaceful: AL leader Bahauddin at rally
Leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies have been gathering at the venue since 10am and waiting for the rally to begin
There is no objection to the BNP's countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal tomorrow as long as it is peaceful, said Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim at the ruling party's "peace" rally today.
"If there is chaos [tomorrow], we will give a strong response. Let our leaders and activists make a vow here at today's rally to resist the arson terrorists from every single neighbourhood [in the country]," said the AL leader while speaking at the "Peace and Development" rally which kicked off this morning at the southern gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque on Saturday (28 October).
Alleging that the BNP attacked the chief justice's residence, he said, "Awami League leaders and activists tried to resist the attack. The BNP men must be resisted with the help of all those who are in the field."
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A number of activists and leaders of the ruling party's north and south units started attending the rally around 4:00pm.
Men chanting slogans were seen, armed with hockey sticks and lead pipes.
BCL infighting during AL rally
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leaders and activists clashed amongst each other during the Awami League's "peace" rally today.
Around 2:00pm this afternoon, the incident flared up near the stage at the south gate of Mosque Baitul Mukarram when the central president and general secretary of the BCL was giving a speech.
At that time, several leaders and activists of the party got into a fight and started throwing sticks at the stage.
The situation was brought under control after about ten minutes, after other members of the ruling party present there intervened and requested them to settle down to resume the rally.
Earlier today, the programme commenced with musical performances by renowned folk singer Lipi Sarkar.
The Awami League's central committee member Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Organising Secretary Mirza Azam, SM Kamal Hossain, and State Minister for Water Resources AKM Enamul Haque Shamim arrived on the stage.
Speaking at the gathering, Parash stated, "if anyone attempts to disrupt the security of people's lives and properties, Jubo league will not sit idle."
Referring to the BNP, he said, "Come to the elections if you have the courage. Sheikh Hasina is never afraid of elections."
Dhaka district Awami League President Benjir Ahmed said each home of residents should make preparations for both elections and movements. "There must be a resistance against conspirators."
Earlier, buses lined the roads carrying people in red t-shirts and shouting slogans for the boat symbol. These vehicles got priority on the capital's roads during commutation, while others waited for them to pass.
At 9am, participants affiliated with the Awami League's North and South units started joining the peace and development rally.
They were passing through Banglamotor in small processions, while many others were going by bus and truck.
"This rally will be a message that the Awami League will participate in the next national election. The elections will take place under the current government," Awami League Praesidium Member Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya told The Business Standard.
He also urged all political parties to participate in the elections.
"Jamaat is trying to create anarchy in the country. We will resist the conspiracy with the people," Mofazzal added.
Leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies were gathering at the venue since 10am for the rally to begin.
Earlier on Friday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police gave permission to Awami League and BNP to hold their Saturday rallies at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque and Nayapaltan, respectively, subject to 20 conditions.
However, Jamaat did not receive the DMP's approval for their rally.
