The ruling Awami League aims to bolster its presence on the streets this October through a series of significant rallies. The Election Commission's suggestion of announcing the election schedule in early November for the upcoming parliamentary election, set for the first week of January next year, has prompted this move.
To celebrate the country's development, the Awami League has unveiled a lineup of at least five large-scale programs. Among them is a mass rally scheduled for October 3 at Amin Bazar in Savar.
Additionally, the ruling party intends to hold four rallies coinciding with the inaugurations of major projects.
On October 7, a rally will mark the opening of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, taking place at the Uttara civil aviation ground.
October 10 will see a rally at Munshiganj's Mawa to commemorate the inauguration of the Padma Bridge railway project.
A rally is planned for October 23 at Motijheel Shapla Chattar to signify the opening of the Motijheel section of the metro rail.
On October 28, a rally in Chittagong will celebrate the inauguration of the Bangabandhu Tunnel.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to address the “Big Four” rallies as the chief guest, aligning with the inauguration ceremonies of these significant projects.
Moreover, a women's rally is anticipated in October, jointly organized by the Jubo Mohila League, Mohila Awami League, and Mohila Sramik League – the three women's wings of the Awami League. Awami League President Sheikh Hasina is expected to participate as the chief guest.
In addition to Dhaka, the Awami League has instructed its district units to hold similar programs throughout October. Significant rallies will soon be organized at the divisional level, jointly arranged by the Awami Jubo League, Swechasebak League, and Chhatra League – the three youth wings of Awami League.
To ensure the program's success, a joint meeting was convened at the central office of the party at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital, bringing together the presidents and general secretaries of the Dhaka Metropolitan North-South units, surrounding district units, and associate organizations.
During the meeting, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader urged party leaders to be vigilant about the BNP's upcoming programs and to prepare for street-level confrontations.
Quader said: "They (BNP) are resorting to terrorism to threaten the government."
When asked about the program series, senior leaders of the ruling party acknowledged the BNP's intention to hold rallies this October to voice their demands before the next election schedule's announcement. In response, the Awami League will take to the streets, showcasing the country's recently completed development projects to counter the BNP's rallies.
A senior Awami League leader said: "October will be a month of inaugurations, with one surprise after another for the people of Bangladesh."
Awami League leaders said that the ruling party will respond to the BNP's programs politically, leaving no challenge unanswered in the lead-up to the upcoming national election.