BNP’S One-Point Movement: Grassroots wanted it tough, top brass won’t rush things
After holding a "mammoth" rally on Wednesday, the top BNP leadership is all charged up and ready to take the movement to the next stage to materialise their demand for election under a non-partisan interim administration.
Although there are mixed reactions within the party for chalking out programmes that many have termed "routine", the top leadership believes thousands of party men will continue to show up for the marches as the grassroots have shown their preparedness for tougher programmes in the coming days, said party sources.
"Yesterday's (Wednesday) rally laid a foundation to our movement, which gave a boost to our confidence as we go for tougher programmes in the coming days," Abdul Awal Mintoo, vice chairman of the party, told The Daily Star yesterday.
Despite police attempts to prevent party members from joining the rally, the meeting was peaceful, the gathering huge and the youth participation noticeable. All these went in favour of the party.
The ranks and files of the party were very excited about the announcement of the one-point movement, which was reflected in the huge turnout.
"The meeting was different at least on two counts -- participation of the young people and also the common people," said Mintoo, adding that it indicates the common people are joining the BNP's movement.
If the party can keep the momentum going, more people will take to the streets extending their support for the BNP's cause, party sources said.
The rally was held peacefully when delegations from the USA and the European Union are in Bangladesh to keenly observe the political situation ahead of the national elections slated for January next year.
The foreign delegates got a message about the party's organisational strength and public support for its cause, said party leaders.
Sources said the party was initially thinking of announcing a blockade-like programme from the rally but went back on that plan as it might send a negative message to the visiting delegates.
"If we go for hartal- or blockade-like programmes right now, the ruling party will get a chance to say that we are opting for violence and it may be counted as an anti-democratic action, which is included in the US's visa restriction criteria," said a senior leader requesting anonymity, adding that they may go for such programmes in the future, when necessary.
As part of the first programme to realise the one-point movement, a two-day countrywide march programme was also announced on Wednesday for July 18 and 19.
On July 18, the road march will be observed in Dhaka from Gabtoli to Jatrabari and on July 19 from Uttara's Abdullahpur to Bahadur Shah Park in Dhaka.
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