Leaders and activists of the Awami League’s city unit and its associate organisations took positions in front of their offices from early on Friday morning to foil any acts of vandalism ahead of the main opposition BNP’s rally in the afternoon.
Several hundred party members gathered outside AL’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue and party President Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi office. Central leaders were also present at party headquarters.
City AL leaders and activists were seen holding processions in almost all the areas in the capital, including Jatrabari, Mothijhil, Mirpur, Palton, Dhaka University area, and Khilgaon.
AL leaders Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Adv Quamrul Islam and top leaders of the party’s associate bodies were all present at Bangabandhu Avenue from the morning.
Leaders and activists, defying Friday’s light drizzle, brought out small processions with motorbikes and chanted slogans in favour of the incumbent government and the prime minister.
Party members attended Juma prayer and then took up positions at several mosques and madrasas to resist any possible acts of violence.
At least 12 monitoring cells, formed by the City AL, observed party activists from its 27 organisational thana units, 17 union units and 100 ward units in the capital.
Besides Bangabandhu Avenue, several leaders and workers were seen at the AL chief’s Dhanmondi office, where a meeting of the 14-party alliance was held.
Talking to the media on Bangabandhu Avenue, State Minister for Law, Quamrul Islam said: “The symptom is not good. If Jamaat-Shibir tries to create any anarchy, the law enforcing agencies will show zero tolerance,” he said.
AL Joint-general Secretary and State Minister for LGRD, Jahangir Kabir Nanak said if anyone tries to bring disorder, Awami League along with the police forces will resist them.
He blamed opposition leader Khaleda Zia for hatching conspiracies to foil the upcoming national polls.
“The elections will be held in line with the constitution,” he said.