The BNP will rename the proposed Meghna division to Comilla if the party is voted to power in the upcoming elections slated for January 2024, according to Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu.
He said this while inspecting the Town Hall ground in Comilla, the venue for the party's November 26 rally. Local BNP leaders accompanied Bulu during the visit.
Bulu told reporters that the government was imposing its decisions on the people. "Hence, it has proposed Meghna as the name for the division, instead of Comilla."
On Tuesday, the Cabinet Division finalized the proposal to form two new divisions named after two major rivers in the country – Padma and Meghna.
The proposed Padma division will comprise five districts of Faridpur and Meghna division will have six districts – three each from Comilla and Noakhali.
The proposal will be placed at the National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reforms (NICAR) meeting on November 27, according to meeting sources.
Meanwhile, the Comilla district administration allowed the BNP to hold its rally on the Town Hall ground under 10 conditions.
Comilla South unit BNP Member Secretary Jasim Uddin and Relief and Rehabilitation Secretary Haji Aminur Rashid Yasin confirmed the matter on Wednesday morning.
Mostak Miah, organizing secretary of the BNP's central committee (Comilla division), said it was not possible to hold a mass rally following such conditions.
“However, we have taken a comprehensive organizational plan to make this rally a success in an orderly and peaceful manner,” he said.
Aminur Rashid Yasin said: "We want a peaceful rally. The last word is that the BNP will hold a peaceful rally. Our leaders and activists should not be obstructed on their way.”
According to the conditions imposed by the district administration, no statement that goes against the country's independence, sovereignty and socio-religious values, state image and national security can be made during the rally.
It further said that the BNP would be allowed to use banners, festoons at a limited scale. It further asked the party to conclude the event by 4:30pm.
Additionally, the district administration said no motorcycle parade would be allowed during the rally.
The rally in Comilla will be the eighth one by the BNP, following its rallies in Chittagong, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barisal, Faridpur and Sylhet.
Party leaders hope to conclude the divisional rallies through a mass gathering in Dhaka on December 10.
