What’ll happen on April 26?

In what is likely to be the first passive show of strength since the January 7 polls, the BNP has announced a rally at its Nayapaltan headquarters on April 26. The goal appears to be to show that they retain popular support despite sitting out the January 7 polls.

But leaders of the Awami League, which retained office for a record fourth consecutive term, have warned that attempts to create disorder will be quashed. Its Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim said their activists will be on the streets that day and hinted at holding a ‘peace rally’.

The last time the BNP arranged a big programme in Dhaka was on October 28 which ended in chaos. A policeman was killed, while dozens of law enforcement members and journalists were injured.

Most of the party’s top leaders, including its secretary general, were arrested in cases filed over violence perpetrated that day. The party sat out the national polls, setting the stage for another overwhelming election victory for Awami League, hoping that its action would make the West pressure Sheikh Hasina to arrange a fresh election. But countries across the world greeted Hasina and vowed to work with her government, much to the dismay of the BNP. The party’s latest ‘boycott India’ movement also failed to have any impact.

Senior BNP leaders are trying to keep their supporters energised and active through continuous political programmes. The April 26 rally comes as part of that effort.

“Our only goal is to restore democracy and force the government to quit,” said BNP’s Standing Committee member Moyeen Khan.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Adviser Zainul Abdin Faruque claimed that the people are with the BNP. “We will guide this movement and throw out the government,” he said.

The next election will not take place before 2028.