28 Oct rallies: BNP-Jamaat activists start arriving in Dhaka 

BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists from various districts have begun to arrive in Dhaka ahead of the rallies in the capital on 28 October and they are staying at the houses of relatives to avoid arrest and harassment, according to insiders.

Both the parties have instructed their grassroots to arrive in the capital early from fear that the government may block transportation and create obstacles before the rally day and increase the number of arrests.

Leaders and activists from distant districts are reportedly arriving first in Savar, Gazipur, and Narayanganj, which are close to Dhaka.

Panchagarh District BNP Convener Zahirul Islam Kachchu told TBS, "We have made extensive preparations to make the rally a success. We will join the rally in any way possible. Everyone in Dhaka will be responsible for their respective duties." 

The main party along with the youth and student fronts are also preparing extensively, he also said. 

"Some leaders and activists in the district have already left for Dhaka and about 3,000 leaders and activists from Panchagarh are preparing to leave by the 26-27th."

BNP Chairperson's Adviser Mizanur Rahman Minu told TBS, "One-fourth of the BNP leaders and activists from Rajshahi who will be attending the grand rally in Dhaka have already arrived in the capital. By Wednesday, most of the leaders and activists will arrive in Dhaka by bus and train. Only those who have urgent work will come to Dhaka on the 27th."

Kushtia District Jamaat Secretary Suja Uddin Joardar told TBS, "Leaders and activists from Kushtia are going to Dhaka, more than ever. A large number of them, whose relatives live in Dhaka, have already left for Dhaka."

Jamaat leader from Cumilla Yaseen Arafat told TBS, "We have not yet heard any major reports of leaders and activists being obstructed on the road. If the situation remains normal, more than 30,000 leaders and activists from Cumilla will be present in Dhaka on the 28th."

Party insiders say the BNP and its allied organisations have made a preliminary decision to lay siege to the Bangladesh Secretariat on 30 October. The announcement of the programme may be made from the Dhaka grand rally on the 28th. 

Besides, protests, demonstrations, blockades, and even strikes may be announced in succession.

Attacks, arrests big concerns 

BNP and Jamaat leaders think that there is an 80% chance that the police and the Awami League will launch an attack on the 28th. 

They claim to have information that the ruling party has made all necessary preparations for the attack. The AL will use the police to attack first before its cadres will join. 

The high commands of both parties have prepared an alternative leadership in case top leaders are arrested. If the first-tier leaders are arrested, the second and third-tier leaders will lead the rallies.

A senior BNP leader, speaking to TBS on condition of anonymity, said, "The Awami League is preparing to attack the Jamaat rally on the 28th. If they can remove the Jamaat from the streets, they will launch attacks on the BNP rally as well."

He also said that by attacking the Jamaat, the AL wants to instil fear in the minds of BNP leaders and activists and weaken the morale of the opposition. 

According to BNP sources, the party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman is in constant contact with influential leaders of each unit of the party and giving instructions. He has instructed all the leaders who submitted nomination forms from the BNP in the 2018 elections to bring 10,000 leaders and activists to Dhaka at any cost. 

The party is working to bring 10 lakh people to the grand rally. With this end in view, it has made preparations to bring the maximum number of people from the neighbouring districts of Dhaka, namely Gazipur, Manikganj, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Narsingdi and Cumilla.

Jamaat leaders also say they are gearing up for gathering 8-10 lakh leaders and activists in Dhaka on 28 October, according to a party source.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said the current movement is moving towards its "inevitable" goal. The Awami League's intimidation, arrests, lawsuits, and night-time trials will "no longer be able to stop it".

"Therefore," he said, "there is no room for retreat. Resistance must be built up wherever the government puts up obstruction. The capital Dhaka must be under BNP control on 28 October."