The Khulna unit Awami League has alleged that the opposition BNP lied to the people regarding obstructions by the government ahead of their divisional rally in the city on Saturday.
"The ruling party did not obstruct the BNP from holding the rally, rather the BNP, when it was in power, obstructed programs announced by the opposition parties,” said Sheikh Harunur Rashid, president of the district unit Awami League, at a press conference.
Mentioning that the leaders of the BNP on Saturday had thanked the administration for their cooperation, Harun said: “This is the proof that the BNP leaders are spreading lies.”
The AL leader claimed that bus and launch owners and workers had stopped operations two days before the rally for the sake of security, which had nothing to do with the government or the ruling party.
In a written statement, he said that the BNP activists had committed acts of violence and terrorized the residents of Khulna under the guise of a public rally. The law enforces were patient with them.
Harun alleged that the BNP men vandalized establishments at the Khulna railway station and the AL office in Daulatpur area. Ten people were injured in the violence, he claimed.
AL Metropolitan Unit General Secretary MD Babul Rana, district AL General Secretary Sujit Kumar Adhikari and Khulna-6 Member of Parliament Md Aktaruzzaman Babu were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the BNP on Sunday alleged that they were obstructed on their journey to the rally site and at least 500 opposition men were injured in attacks by the ruling party men and law enforcers.
They further alleged that 137 party men were detained including metropolitan BNP leader Khandker Hasinul Islam Nick.
Addressing a press briefing in the city on Sunday, Metropolitan BNP Convener Shafiqul Alam Mona said that the law enforcers had broken their promise and could not maintain law and order ahead of the rally.
Mona said that even the police were at odds with BNP men on Saturday.
He alleged that their men were attacked on their way to the rally ground.