The 18-party alliance is set to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital this afternoon.
Top leaders of 18-party alliance, including BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque have already arrived at the venue.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police have tightened security measures in the Suhrawardy Udyan area ahead of the 18-party rally, our Dhaka University Corresponded reports.
The leaders of the alliance, mostly those from Jamaat-e-Islami, were seen gathering at the rally venue since morning. Many Jamaat members are carrying banners and posters depicting their detained leaders.
Meanwhile, leaders of the BNP-led 18-party allaince and its front organisations have started arriving at the venue with brisk processions.
The roads near Suhrawardy Udyan have been occupied by the leaders and activists, halting vehicular movement in the area.
Our correspondents report that the entire law and order situation is normal in the capital but the law enforcing agencies are on high alert.
BNP had planned to hold their rally in front of their headquarters in Nayapaltan, but instead received permission to do so at Suhrawardy Udyan.
On Thursday night, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they decided to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan as a gesture of “peace and understanding” on behalf of BNP.
Meanwhile, tension has spread among the public as both the ruling party and the opposition are preparing to hold programmes across the country today, particularly in the capital.
A top BNP leader told the Dhaka Tribune that the party will declare hartal and push for tough, non-stop agitation programmes at today’s rally as their ultimatum for the government to introduce a non-party caretaker administration to the constitution by October 25 expires today.
The decision was reportedly taken at a meeting between the party chief and top party leaders on Thursday night.
Apart from the programmes in the capital, the opposition alliance has plans to hold rallies in various districts to push home their demand for electionsto be held under a non-partisan interim government.
The Awami League has also announced various programmes.
Consequently, local administrations in a number of districts have imposed section 144 which bans gatherings in order to avoid possible confrontations.
In another development, the Awami League’s Dhaka city unit has cancelled its plan to hold a rally scheduled to take place today.
The party asked its leaders and activists to take to the streets to resist any attempts by opposition activists “to create anarchy.”
As of Thursday evening, Paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh has been deployed throughout Dhaka and Narayanganj amidst uncertainties over October 25.
