Defiant BNP Getting Prepared for Strike-Siege

BNP wants to make a 'big movement' to topple down the government. BNP itself thinks that the current style of demonstration cannot topple the government. So they want to start a big movement this September.

It is known that BNP's general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will announce a new program for the movement within two days. And that's why the leaders said that discussions are going on with the partners of the simultaneous movement. And BNP thinks that the international pressure on the government for fair elections will increase from this month.

It is said that this 'big movement' was discussed in the BNP Standing Committee meeting on the night of September 4. Their movement program will be finalized soon. They are giving the most importance to the court siege program.

It is known that they are preparing to surround government offices like the Prime Minister's Office, Secretariat, and Dhaka siege. If necessary, they will also give programs like strikes. They said that now such a program will be given so that the government will be forced to resign. They feel that the involvement of common people in their peaceful program is increasing. However, it does not seem that the government will resign from this program. The program will be given so that the government resigns.

This time all programs will be held simultaneously. Apart from the 37 parties that have joined the simultaneous movement with BNP, some other parties will also hold the same program. Jamaat-e-Islami is one of them.

BNP will field all its affiliated organizations simultaneously. In order for the students to be active in the movement, work is going on to do something like an all-party student union with other student organizations. Because they think that if the movement is to be successful, the students of educational institutions should be brought to the field. And they are working to activate labor organizations including professionals. A series of meetings are going on with them. They want to form a front with them.

BNP Vice Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan said, "We are going for a big program. But all programs will be peaceful. The general secretary of the party will announce the program in a press conference within two days. That's why I'm not revealing what the program is. However, the program must be more rigorous. A program will be given so that the government is forced to resign.”

In his words, thousands of leaders and activists of the country are now waiting for the big program. They are ready for the movement ignoring the attacks. And common people will participate in this movement. Our preparation is like that. We will start a new movement from this month. After that, the movement will continue from October to November. We will have programs every day of the week.

He said, "Many parties that are not involved in the simultaneous movement are now joining the movement to overthrow the government. They will perform the same program separately. In addition to Jamaat, there is Charmonai Pir's party. There are other parties of the left wing including the CPB.

According to him, international pressure will increase on the government for fair elections. The main theme of the G20 conference was democracy and human rights. They are all asking for fair elections. It is not for any party. It is for democracy.

Meanwhile, Junaid Saki, the chief coordinator of the Gonosonghati Andolon, said, "The verdict of the people is being published every day. The government is determined to hold on to power by coercion. So people have to go on bigger protests so that the government is forced to resign.

He said, 'The program will increase in the future. A more stringent program is being discussed. The program will be finalized only through discussion. We are doing the democratic movement. We will advance the movement through the traditional methods of democratic movement in Bangladesh.

However, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of the Gonotantrik Okya, another partner of the joint movement, said, "I didn’t have any personal discussion with the BNP about the program of the big movement. Coordination Committee meeting held discussions. But not yet with a big program. We have not given any opinion. BNP can give the movement program. Then there can be forced movement. BNP understands that it has to be done earlier. That's why they are thinking about  September or October. But there is no plan yet as to how it will be done.

In response to a question, he said, "It's not exactly slacking off, BNP seems to have become a bit directionless." If there is a movement, there will be conflict. BNP wants to avoid that. BNP does not want to face this at all.

In his words, 'They (BNP) seem to be waiting for some guidance for big programs. Or waiting to see how much international pressure there is._DW Bangla