Leaders and activists of BNP-led 18-party alliance have started gathering at Shapla Chattar in the city in order to join a rally set to be held in the afternoon.
Sources said hundreds of Jamaat-Shibir men from different parts of the country took position in front of the stage at about 9am. Besides, BNP leaders and activists from all over the country started coming to the rally venue from Friday night.
They are carrying placards, banners and portraits of the party leaders who are now behind jail on different charges. Meanwhile, they are chanting various slogans demanding unconditional release of the party leaders.
According to a BNP sources, the gathering is apparently planned to supplement the Dhaka siege event of the Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam on May 5, to which the party has already extended its support.
A senior leader of the party seeking anonymity said at least 500,000 opposition activists are expected to throng to the capital ahead of the rally.
Earlier on Friday, ASM Hannan Shah, a standing committee member of the party, told Dhaka Tribune: “Our party leaders and activists have already started coming to the capital to join the meeting.”
Party insiders say activists are coming to Dhaka in small groups by trains and buses and avoiding hiring any vehicles as they fear blockades by authorities.
Chittagong city unit BNP President Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the party is not arranging any transportation for the party leaders and activists, who are travelling voluntarily to the capital.
The opposition alliance is likely to go for road, rail and waterway blockade and countrywide hartal for 48 to 60 hours to put pressure on the government, party insiders said.
BNP chairperson and leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia may announce the next course of action from the May 4 rally. She has dubbed her speech in the rally an important one.
