The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will announce its ‘one-point’ movement demanding the resignation of the government and elections under a caretaker administration on July 12 at a rally in the capital. The decision was finalized last night (Saturday) during a meeting of the BNP standing committee at the office of the party chairman in Gulshan.
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On July 12, the like-minded political parties of the BNP are also likely to make announcements regarding the one-point movement in order to project an illusion of strength.
According to party sources, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will make the announcement at a rally in front of the party’s central office in Nayapaltan.
BNP prepares for their ‘one-point’ movement
The party held a closed-door meeting of its front and associate bodies in the morning at its central office in Nayapaltan, where acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who virtually joined the meeting from London, hinted that a rally will be conducted in Dhaka on July 12.
After the meeting in Nayapaltan, Fakhrul visited Khaleda Zia at her home in Gulshan. From there, he proceeded to her office and joined the meeting of the standing committee.
In the meeting of the standing committee, senior BNP leaders discussed the similar political parties’ proposals for the movement’s programs. The leaders have decided to hold off on drastic measures such as a hartal, blockade, or non-cooperation for the time being.
“We will make an announcement on our one-point movement programs from a rally on July 12. Instructions have been given to stage a show of strength,” said a standing committee member.
“But if we are compelled, we will think of tougher agitation programs,” the person added.
A BNP delegation is likely to go to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police office today to seek permission for the rally. On Saturday, the BNP secretary general said, “We will declare the final programs very soon. This movement will be the final movement.”
The BNP held discussions with two alliances and two political parties earlier on Friday. In the meetings, a one-point movement was decided upon.
Besides, BNP has upcoming youth rallies in Sylhet on 9 July and in Khulna on 15 July. Their youth rally will be held in Dhaka on July 22.
Does BNP’s activities seem rhetoric over substance?
A delegation from the European Union is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today to observe the upcoming parliamentary election.
Before departing Dhaka, the EU delegation is scheduled to meet with the government, election commission, various political parties, law enforcement agencies, members of civil society, and the media. They will hold talks twice with the major political parties Awami League (AL), Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and Jatiya Party (JaPa).
AL is more concerned with the activities of Western diplomats, the US visa policy, and the role of Western legislators. AL would address the topic of fair election in five city corporations and by-polls. Moreover, the party would reason that it has solidified the election commission.
BNP Party leaders, on the other hand, stated that they wish to convey to the delegation that the BNP is in the final phase of an anti-government movement and will not participate in any elections under the current government.
This sort of dialogue with EU delegations demonstrates that the BNP is more concerned with enhancing its image than with addressing the genuine concerns and aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.
In addition, rather than engaging in meaningful dialogue or proposing constructive policies, the BNP continues to rely on worn-out strategies, such as closed-door meetings and virtual participation by its leaders, who are conveniently based abroad. This calls into doubt their dedication to serving the interests of the Bangladeshi people and their genuine willingness to participate in the democratic process.
AL is not worried about the ‘one-point’ movement
The ruling Awami League is unconcerned about the one-point movement of opposition parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), calling for the government’s resignation. As every single opposition party movement since 2014 has had the same central demand—the resignation of the government—the party does not consider this is a new phenomenon.
While downplaying the opposition’s movement, AL sources stated that they will do whatever is necessary to maintain their influence on the streets and keep the stability in the country. AL has already planned to conduct student and youth rallies in eight divisional cities as a response to the BNP’s “youth rally.” With the assistance of AL, associate organizations would primarily organize the programs in their respective cities. This month, these programs are scheduled to begin.
Multiple AL leaders stated that these rallies were organized with the BNP’s one-point movement in mind. They stated that the primary purpose of these rallies would be to prevent the BNP from seizing control of the streets and any kind of act of instability.
Yesterday, in response to a query about the opposition’s one-point movement, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader stated, “The one-point movement of 32 parties, including the BNP, is bound to collapse.”
Moreover, AL’s joint secretary general, Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif, said that the ruling party is not concerned with what the BNP will do, but rather is solely focused on the upcoming election.
To conclude, the BNP’s announcement of the ‘one-point’ movement demonstrates their desperation to regain political momentum. However, questions remain as the opposition fails to do the needful to regain the lost traction. In the face of these political maneuvers by the BNP, the ruling party remains committed to preserving control and stability being heavy on BNP.
