The decision of the road March program demanding to hold the next 12th National Parliament election under a neutral government has been finalized by BNP and like-minded parties.
However, two sections have emerged among BNP senior leaders over the nature of the road march.
A large part wants to take the movement to its final stage after the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha while a relatively small but influential section feels that the movement needs to be taken to the top to force the government to comply with their demands before Eid-ul Azha.
This matter came up during the talks with the BNP Standing Committee, several senior leaders and top leaders of opposition parties in the last few days.
Several members of the BNP Standing Committee and the leaders of the simultaneously affiliated opposition parties said that the final program to topple the government has almost been finalized.
Along with some initial programs, the opposition parties will hold a road march at the end of this month on the issue of price hike and labour issue.
Bangla TribuneIn this case, opposition parties including BNP will hold road marches from Dhaka to other divisions.
The leaders are planning to make the final road march towards Dhaka at the end of June.
In this regard, Saiful Haque, coordinator of the Ganatantra Mancha, said: "We want to increase the heat of the movement with people's participation. The force of the movement will decide when the program will be towards Dhaka. Our main consideration is to involve people in the movement on the basis of a series of programs.”
Leaders associated with BNP and other opposition parties said that two sections have been created among the senior leaders of BNP on whether the road march will be directed from Dhaka to other divisions before Eid or after.
In this regard, a leader of the Ganatantra Mancha said that if the program goes after Eid-ul-Azha, it will be in August. The movement will be hampered if Awami League gets advantage politically during the month of mourning. That is why an influential section of the BNP, including the Ganatantra Mancha, wanted to finish the program between May and June and bring home the results.
In this context, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, one of the leaders of the Ganatantra Mancha, said that there is a division among the BNP leaders regarding the final time of the movement.
The majority wants to take part in the final stage of the program after Eid-ul-Azha. Others want to hold the final program before Eid-ul-Azha. Because, if the election is held in December, as per the rules, the schedule will be announced three months earlier in September, which will create an election atmosphere across the country, he mentioned.
“I was personally in favor of taking the movement to its peak before Eid,” he said.
UNBWhen asked, Dr Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain, one of the members of the BNP Standing Committee, said: "We will inform you when the program schedule will be fixed."
Another BNP leader said that there is a standing committee meeting on Tuesday.
The joint outline will be finalized in the meeting. All the parties will sit together and announce the joint outline and program.
Resentment over last year's divisional rallies in BNP
Meanwhile, several members of the BNP Standing Committee and responsible sources said that there is also resentment in the party centring the divisional rallies from October 12 to December 10 of last year after the resignation of six party MPs from the Jatiya Sangsad.
An important member of the standing committee said: "Our divisional rallies were held very early. Everyone understands it now. Secondly, it was a big mistake to hold the rally at Golapbagh ground after the government allotted Suhrawardy Udyan to hold the rally on December 10. We regret these mistakes.”
Two leaders of Ganatantra Mancha said that BNP's rally at Golapbagh field was the worst decision ever. BNP wasted the possibility and opportunity to create a situation by not going to Naya Paltan.
Another member of the standing committee said that Mirza Abbas and Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP convener Abdus Salam did not want to hold a rally on Golapbagh ground on December 10. Even if they didn't want it, the Golapbagh field was chosen based on the opinion of several members of the party's high command.
Dhaka Tribune"We are now more cautious about these two mistakes," said a member of the standing committee.
He said: "That's why from now on all the opposition parties will be consulted before taking any decision. After that, a decision will be taken.”
A leader of the party said that there has been enough opposition in the grassroots regarding the road march from Dhaka to other divisions. Especially considering the participation of people and party followers in the divisional gatherings and the financial situation of the local leaders, there is an opportunity to question again how realistic the push for divisional programs will be.
Even from the grass roots it is still being advised to consider this matter, said leader.
Another BNP leader commented that the main focus should be on the capital and Dhaka University. However, BNP has not yet decided on a strategy in this key area.
Ganatantra Mancha will give draft manifesto to BNP again
Two top leaders of the Ganatantra Mancha said that after the BNP and the liaison committee of their party finalized the “seven points of the simultaneous anti-fascist movement aimed at changing the government and governance”, it has again drafted a joint draft declaration in the second phase.
The draft of this joint declaration was supposed to reach the BNP anytime on Monday.
While talking to the leaders of the platform, it was seen that on April 13, BNP suddenly proposed a joint declaration based on 27 points.
Dhaka TribuneAfter that, the leaders of Ganatantra Mancha started working on the second draft.
Another leader mentioned that the draft of at least 30-35 points has been finalized.
