AL, BNP won't budge, Oct-end to watch

• Fakhrul said it is time for the AL govt to make a safe exit
• BNP announces a grand rally in capital on 28 Oct
• Quader in 'final message' said Sheikh Hasina will lead polls-time govt
• AL also announces programmes throughout the month

It's the endgame.

At least, that's how the BNP is looking at the end of the month when the tenure of the Jatiya Sangsad comes to an end.

At a rally yesterday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made their blueprint very clear – the final push was here.

"We will not go home without ousting this government. There will be many obstacles. But our programme will be peaceful, and through that, we will overthrow the government. Make a safe exit with respect, else there will be dire consequences," Mirza Fakhrul said during his address to the rally in front of the party's Nayapaltan offices.

He then announced a grand rally in the capital slated for 28 October, coinciding with the programme announced by Jamaat-e-Islami.

The significance of the date is not lost upon any of the political factions.

On this day in 2006, a bloody seven-hour clash took place between Jamaat and Awami League workers in Dhaka's Paltan area. The incident left at least five people dead. Various media reports, however, put the death toll at 23.

The AL, on the other hand, are also well aware of what the day means.

In the AL rally at the Baitul Mukarram yesterday, the party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader declared that there was no scope to listen to the demands of the BNP.

"I too am delivering a final message that Bangabandhu's daughter, Sheikh Hasina, will be the prime minister of the election-time government. This is the ultimate statement on the matter," he said, ending speculation on any space left for wiggle room.

On 16 October, when BNP's plans for a rally yesterday became clear, Quader had also stuck to his guns.

"The Awami League will ensure control of the city streets on 18 October." This position doesn't seem to have changed.

The AL has also announced programmes throughout the month.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) is set to announce the election schedule at the end of the month.

The election must also be held 90 days before the expiration of the tenure of the current government.

What police say

The police are ready for "all-out efforts" ahead of 28 October and also on that day.

An anonymous source confirmed the matter to The Business Standard.

"The Dhaka Metropolitan Police [DMP] has already trained its troops for riot control in different phases. All stations have been asked to be alert. No one will be allowed to paralyse Dhaka in the name of political protest," he added.

Despite repeated attempts, DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman could not be reached over the matter.

When asked why the BNP and Jamaat chose 28 October for a protest,  another police official said, "They might have a plan for subversive activities or they wouldn't have chosen the date."

Before yesterday's rallies, the police set up check posts, which BNP leaders alleged were used as tools of harassment.

Over 200 leaders and activists of the BNP were arrested during checking and overnight raids in the capital on Tuesday and Wednesday centring on the BNP's Nayapaltan rally, the party alleged.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, during his speech yesterday, alleged that over 250 leaders and activists of the party were arrested ahead of the event.

Police set up checkpoints at Dhamrai, Amin Bazar and Savar since the morning and checked most of the vehicles and pedestrians, BNP also alleged.

Meanwhile, a Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Wednesday sent BNP Organising Secretary Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu to jail and placed 11 others on a two-day remand each in a case lodged with Badda police station. Earlier, Detective Branch police arrested Dulu from his Gulshan residence at midnight.

A senior officer of Dhaka Metropolitan Police told the media that 202 BNP leaders and activists have been detained since Tuesday.

Many BNP activists said their cell phones were checked after stopping and searching the vehicles carrying them.

Asked about the allegations, DMP spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner Faruk Hossain said that they did not conduct any politically motivated raids.

What AL says

At yesterday's rally, addressing the BNP general secretary, Quader said, "He [Fakhrul] is instructing us about when to step down. Who are you to give us the message? To whom does Sheikh Hasina intend to transfer power – to you or to your convicted heir, Tarique Rahman? Whom will she choose?"

The Awami League general secretary said, "The game will be against the BNP, against electoral fraud, corruption, plunder, and extremism. BNP stands accused of being involved in violence; their hands are stained with blood.

"If you initiate a blockade programme, we, too, will give a similar one. We won't stand idly by. Those who impose blockades become obstacles for general people. It remains to be seen how the Americans will address this situation."