The country's two main political parties are set to hold their respective rallies in the capital today (Friday) at cross-purposes, which has created tension among the city-dwellers.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will hold a grand rally in front of its central office in Naya Paltan area at 2:00 pm to drum up their campaign for election under a neutral interim government.
The other rally, called by Jubo League, Chhatra League and Swechchasebak League - three associate bodies of the ruling Awami League (AL), will be held near south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque to oppose the opposition plea.
After getting police permission, the two sides were seen enthusiastic to hold their rallies.
The AL and its associate bodies were taking preparations near south gate of Baitul Mukarram on Thursday to successfully hold their peace rally.
BNP leaders and activists started gathering in front of the party office at Naya Paltan on Thursday evening. A number of law-enforcers of police and other agencies were deployed near the BNP office to ensure peace and avert any untoward incident.
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told the media in a press briefing on the day that BNP Dhaka city leaders have taken necessary preparations to make the grand rally a success.
He alleged that whenever BNP moves to hold any political programme, it faces conditions from the authority concerned, whereas the ruling Awami League does not face such situation.
Police have detained over 500 BNP leaders and activists ahead of the rally, he claimed.
"The more you (the government) will create obstruction and arrest us, the more party followers will join the rally," he added.
Convener of BNP Dhaka north city unit Aman Ullah Aman and Dhaka south Abdus Salam were present in the press briefing.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) gave permission to BNP to hold its rally at Naya Paltan on Friday.
On the other hand, DMP also allowed Jubo League, Chhatra League and Swechchasebak League to hold their peace rally at south gate of Baitul Mukarram on the same day.
DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq in a press briefing on Thursday told the media that both (BNP and three associate bodies of AL) have been allowed to hold their programmes on 23 conditions, and the two sides must follow these.
He said despite challenges of Ashura, they have given permission to the two arch-rival parties to hold their programmes.
He thanked BNP and the AL associate bodies for not holding rallies on Thursday.
The DMP commissioner said there was no threat centring the rallies. Police, BGB, RAB and Ansar personnel would be deployed to ensure security.
Anti-state speeches would not be allowed to deliver from the rallies, and the participants must not carry sticks and bags. The two political opponents must not use loudspeakers beyond the DMP-allowed areas.
He called upon volunteers of the two sides to ensure safety and security during their respective rallies, and hoped that police would get cooperation from them.
He also warned that stiff legal measures would be taken, if the law and order situation deteriorates during the rallies.
BNP and 32 other like-minded parties have been conducting a movement for immediate resignation of the government and hold a free, fair and participatory election under a caretaker government.
But the ruling AL and its allies are not ready to accept the demand, saying the upcoming national election will be held under the present government as per the constitution.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com