As the 131-hour blockade ends today, the main opposition BNP-led 18-party alliance is planning to wage another spell of nationwide blockade from Saturday demanding suspension of the election schedule and the formation of a non-partisan interim administration.
Even though UN Assistant Secretary-General Oscar Fernandez Taranco is scheduled to visit Dhaka tomorrow, this time the opposition combine would not refrain from observing blockades. But party Chairperson Khaleda Zia will make the decision, according to a senior BNP leader.
The leader also said they were thinking of keeping Taranco’s movements out of the blockade purview.
BNP’s Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed in a video message has already threatened to announce a tougher movement if the demands were not met by 5pm today, when the six-day blockade ends. A Standing Committee member, seeking anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune that if they paused in the ongoing movement, then the law enforcement agencies would start arresting the opposition men.
“Apart from this, any pause may make the movement sloppy ahead of our tougher programmes next week,” he said. The leader also said they might offer a Gayebana Janaza tomorrow after Juma prayers when the announcement of blockade programmes might come.
Another senior leader said the district- and thana-level leaders were sending messages to the party chief to continue the ongoing movement.