AL 'peace rally' begins after brief interruption caused by rain
In an apparent attempt to counter BNP's anti-government road marches, Awami League (AL) kicked off its "peace rally" in the capital on Wednesday afternoon (12 July).
Before the rally started around 3pm, it was briefly interrupted by rain which came as no surprise as the Bangladesh Meteorology Department (BMD) in its weather bulletin had predicted light to moderate thundershowers in different parts of the country in the next 24 hours, commencing 9am today (12 July).
After 1pm, AL leaders and activists started to gather in front of the stage at Baitul Mokarram South Gate. They arrived at the venue in large numbers and swarmed the area while holding placards and shouting slogans.
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AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader will be present as the chief guest in the rally where central leaders, cabinet members and leaders of Dhaka Metropolitan North and South Awami League will also be present.
Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League General Secretary SM Mannan Kochi will preside over the rally under the chairmanship of Abu Ahmed Mannafi, president of Dhaka Metropolitan South Awami League.
Earlier, in the morning, the activists of Dhaka Metropolitan Awami League South and North units were seen setting up the rally venue since Wednesday morning.
Up until 12.30pm, the rally venue, including the stage and sitting arrangements, was almost empty. Only a few activists were seen supervising the overall event management.
Meanwhile, law enforcers took positions in and around the rally venue to avoid any untoward situation.
Abu Ahmed Mannafi, president of Dhaka Metropolitan South Awami League, told The Business Standard, "As per the instructions of the central command, the leaders of every ward and unit of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations have been asked to be vigilant to foil any sabotage attempt by the BNP in the capital."
Abdul Mannan Kochi, general secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North, told TBS, "We want to demonstrate the popularity of the Awami League to the opposition by gathering millions of people in the assembly."
"Today's peace rally is to protest against BNP-Jamaat's terrorism, political malpractice and continued anti-national conspiracy," Dhaka Metropolitan South Awami League Office Secretary Md Riaz Uddin (Riaz) said.
On Tuesday (11 July), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) gave permission for the rally to be held at Baitul Mokarram from 3pm-5pm.
When asked, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Awami League office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua said, "Through today's peace rally we want to send a clear message to all that Awami League cannot be thrown out of power by force."
"We have never assumed power without an election, unlike BNP which does not believe in a democratic government system," he said noting that the ruling government has taken every initiative to hold a fair election.
