Hectic campaign for 14-party grand rally

Awami League Presidium member Tofail Ahmed leading a motorbike procession of Jubo League in Barisal city yesterday to campaign for 14-party alliance's grand rally in the divisional headquarter tomorrow. PHOTO: STAR

Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina will be the main speaker at the rally, where she may announce a new agitation programme to realise the opposition demands for reforms in the caretaker system and Election Commission, party sources said yesterday.

Some central AL leaders including Presidium member Tofail Ahmed are in the city, participating in campaigns for the rally.

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Tofail led a motorbike procession in the city yesterday, joined by several hundred youths, who chanted slogans denouncing the government for its alleged failure to run the country and to drum up support for the rally.

Rallies, processions and miking are going on in all upazilas every day with a plan to mobilise one million people at the rally, according to Shawkat Hossain Hiron, Barisal city AL convener and coordinator of Barisal divisional 14-party alliance.

Barisal district AL secretary Abul Hasnat Abdullah may also attend the rally, party sources said.

Besides postering, leaflet distribution, miking and wall writing, party men are holding car and motorcycle processions in different districts of the division.

A striking difference this time is that unlike on previous occasions, opposition activists are not facing any obstruction from ruling party men in campaigning for their rally.

This is a healthy sign for politics, many people told this correspondent.

In many areas of the city, AL activists were seen writing slogans by rubbing earlier wall writings done by BNP, but there was no obstruction.

Sources in opposition and ruling parties said they have come to an understanding on 'peaceful co-existence' because the March 6 opposition rally will be followed by a BNP programme in the city.

The district administration is also taking adequate security measures for the 14-party rally. Rab, APBN and police are working to maintain security at the meeting venue and in the city.