The opposition BNP has secured the bail of its leaders apparently
by softening their programmes and deferring any “tougher” programme
beyond the upcoming Eid Ul Fitre festival.
Similar argument may arise while planning some “tough” programme
during the other Eid festival, the Eidul-Azha in November, the Durga
Puja of the Hindu community in October and the Christmas of the
Christian community in December.
It appears that no “tough” movement can be launched before next
year when the government completes its five-year tenure. The opposition
workers and supporters may now go for a relaxed not so hard political
programme till the upcoming general elections.
The
opposition’s “softy, softy” programme is likely to dominate the next
course of the BNP-led opposition’s action that would tend to easily
conform to the desire of the diplomatic community and the country’s
business people.
Addressing the 18-party mass rally in the city on June 11,
opposition BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia announced a set of programmes to
press home their demand with a forewarning to launch tougher movement
after Eid,
The fresh spell of programmes include countrywide rally and
demonstration on June 17 in all metropolitan cities and district on June
24, in metropolitan cities, districts, upazilas and municipalities on
July 1, in metropolitans and district towns; memorandum submission on
July 8 and again countrywide rally and demonstration on July 15.
Addressing the rally in front of party office in city’s Naya Paltan
bBegum Zia said, “Tougher movement programmes will be announced if the
government does not restore caretaker government system through
dialogue.”
The BNP chief also said, “The government itself has to reinstate
the non-party caretaker government system as it had removed it from the
constitution.”
‘Harshar programme’
However, BNP front-ranking leader Tariqul Islam on Tuesday
threatened that the opposition will announce harsher programmes changing
its just announced stance if attacks and filing of ‘false’ cases
against opposition leaders and workers continue.
Addressing a press conference at the BNP central office, party
standing committee member Tariqul alleged that the government had tried
in many ways to thwart their June 11 mass rally.
He further alleged that police picked up over 100 leaders and
workers of 18-party alliance across the country during distribution of
leaflets in favour of the mass rally.
He said JCD general secretary Amirul Islam Alim and Kamal Anwar
were rearrested from jail gate even after their release on bail in a
false case. “If such repressive acts continue, the opposition will throw
tougher programmes changing its present stand.”
Meanwhile, political sympathisers wish that BNP as a responsible
opposition party should not confuse the people about its course of
action. They may keep their strategy secret but must make its political
actions clearly spelled out and be courageous enough to implement those
despite toughest political repression being unleashed.
The Leader of the opposition Begum Khaleda Zia who received huge
response from the people in the March 12 and June 11 grand public
rallies, however, discouraged the dedicated workers and activists by
announcing a programme largely to mark time. This has happened even
after showing tough attitude and giving ultimatum for tougher action for
final movement by Khaleda Zia and her political colleagues which did
not please their followers.
Besides, the opposition workers have also noticed that the issue of
the release of political leaders has gained more importance than the
issue of disappearance of former lawmaker Ilias Ali and others for whose
cause the leaders were arrested in the first place.
They should keep in consideration that any confusion or hesitation
with political actions can frustrate the party supporters and create
mistrust.
Khaleda Zia at her June 11 mass rally accused the Prime Minister
and her cabinet colleagues of indulging in massive corruption. Reacting
to Khaleda’s remarks, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reportedly urged her
arch political rival to see her own face on the mirror.
