BNP decides to face anarchies in street
The ruling party BNP has decided to take strong stance and face any anarchies and effort of sabotage in the street.
The party’s high-command have directed its leaders and activists of all stages to be alert to foil any efforts of sabotage of the fallen and activity-banned Awami League supporters and also any anarchies of the opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami or others.
The party leaders warned that any efforts of anarchies will be prevented in the streets.
High-ups directs workers to remain vocal in street programmes
BNP’s policymaking level has told the leaders and activists from the central level to the grassroots to stay alert on the streets at all times. The party has been adopting a policy of maintaining a visible presence on the streets of the country including Dhaka through processions, rallies and public outreach programmes.
In particular, the party has given specific instructions to the affiliated and associate organisations including Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal to keep their presence on the streets by continuous protest processions and showdowns.
BNP will not remain silent
Senior party leaders have made it clear that the BNP welcomes any constructive and democratic political movement. However, they said the party will not remain silent if attempts are made to destroy state property, set fire to the buses and trains, explode cocktails or create disorder in the name of exercising democratic rights.
BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy told Asia Post, “The people have given the BNP the mandate to form the government to ensure their security and establish their rights. Therefore, those responsible for maintaining law and order must properly perform their duties. The BNP never wants to take the law into its own hands.”
He added, “The BNP was on the streets in the past and will remain on the streets in the future. The government bears the primary responsibility for establishing the democratic rights of the people, ensuring their security and protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty.”
In this context, BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told Asia Post, “The defeated forces of the mass uprising of 2024 are trying in various ways to create instability in the country. Acts of violence and sabotage are being carried out as part of attempts to create instability and disrupt the political situation.”
He further said, “These conspiracies are aimed at politically rehabilitating ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and restoring the previous political system. No attempt to undermine the political changes brought about through the mass uprising of 2024 will be allowed to succeed.”
Calling on political parties to play a responsible role in protecting democracy, independence and sovereignty, the BNP senior leader said, “The defeated forces have no right to carry out activities on the streets.”
Zero tolerance for anarchy and political resistance
BNP has said from the centre that it will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the current political environment achieved through the direct participation of the people. The party will not allow any confrontational situation to develop in the name of political movements, its leaders said.
BNP leaders said, “The streets and the country’s political arena have not been leased to anyone. The party will confront any hostile force through political decorum and a specific strategy.”
BNP’s strategy to counter opposition parties
Continuous grassroots programmes: Joint processions, protest meetings and precautionary programmes will continue at regular intervals at the district, metropolitan and ward levels across the country.
Increasing public security and awareness: The party will work with ordinary people to play a united role in preventing any form of sabotage and anarchic behaviour.
Strengthening the organisational base: Each party unit will be kept mentally and organisationally active at all times alongside the government and state-related responsibilities of its leaders and activists.
BNP high command believes that there is no alternative to maintaining the party’s continuous presence on the streets to thwart attempts to create political instability. Therefore, the party is moving forward with maximum preparedness to confront the overall challenges posed by the Awami League and other political opponents while maintaining a strong presence on the streets.
According to political analysts, the BNP has adopted a “good strategy” to maintain its position amid the changed political reality following the mass uprising of 2024.
Message to affiliated bodies over AL activities
BNP high command has decided to keep its affiliated organisations active, fearing that the party’s presence on the streets will serve as a major political defensive shield against attempts to reorganise the ousted Awami League or launch sudden acts of disorder. The party believes that if the BNP leaves the streets, opposing forces could exploit the resulting vacuum.
The BNP says it wants to present itself as a responsible political party. Maintaining control of the streets through political programmes without engaging in confrontation or taking the law into its own hands, while also signalling support for law enforcement agencies, would be positive for stability, according to the party.
The BNP also says that although political change has come after a prolonged movement, continuous showdowns, processions and rallies are strategically important to prevent party leaders and activists from becoming complacent and to keep the organisational base strong.