Photo : Collected
Amid the ongoing scorching summer heat, both the ruling Awami League and the BNP have decided not to proceed with their rallies scheduled to be held on April 26 (Friday) in the capital.
Both parties held meetings on Monday evening to discuss whether they would hold the rallies amid the sizzling temperature. They decided to shelve the plans considering the safety of rally participants but did not announce new dates for the programmes.
The rallies would have been big political programmes for both parties for the second time since the January 7 parliamentary elections. Their first big rallies were held in March in a peaceful manner.
The BNP announced the April 26 rally to demand the release of its Chairperson Khaleda Zia and the party's imprisoned leaders and activists. On the other hand, the Awami League announced it would hold a peace and development rally on the same day.
Earlier on Monday, when asked how the rally would be held amid the sweltering heat, Office Secretary of the Awami League’s Dhaka metropolitan south unit Riaz Uddin Riaz told The Daily Messenger that they would discuss postponing the programme during a meeting in the evening.
“We will consider the situation. Our leaders are considering the problems that will arise if the rally is held amid the extreme heat and the heat alert. If a decision is made to postpone the rally, the media will be informed,” he said.
When the parties had announced the rallies, various circles questioned how the programmes would be held in Gulistan and Nayapaltan, two important areas in Dhaka, at a time when unbearable heat was severely disrupting public life and also claimed several lives. They said people's suffering would increase if the rallies were held by closing the roads.
Apart from that, criticism surfaced on social media, with many saying rally participants could even die of a heart attack if they stayed outside for hours amid the heat.
Office Secretary of the BNP’s Dhaka metropolitan south unit Saidur Rahman Mintu told The Daily Messenger earlier on Monday that the party would hold an urgent meeting in the evening to discuss the overall situation.
“I think the rally date will be changed. But the decision will be made at the meeting. I cannot say anything at this moment,” he added.
Sources said after assuming power for the fourth time in a row through the 12th national election, the ruling Awami League is making big preparations to inform the people about the government’s developments and achievements. Friday’s rally, which was scheduled to be held at the south gate of the Baitul Mukarram mosque, would be arranged soon.
Instructions were sent on Sunday to leaders and activists of the Awami League and its associate bodies to attend the rally. Plans were also made to further rally preparations by holding extended meetings at the thana and ward levels.
Meanwhile, the BNP is planning a new movement to demand the release of Khaleda Zia. A series of programmes have been undertaken as per the directives of the party’s high command to boost the morale of leaders and activists.
Moreover, various preparatory activities are going on every day, including indoor and view-exchange meetings.
Messenger/Fameema
