DHAKA: As the battle lines are drawn by the inveterate rivals for a post-eid face-off, leaders of both the main parties aired concern over the programmes of the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP meant for taking control of the political field.

They particularly appeared apprehensive of deterioration of the law-and-order situation of the country for such move of the two alternately ruling parties on the collision course.
 
Meanwhile, Awami League has declared grand rallies in divisional cities. On the other hand, the opposition BNP is also taking preparation to go on a long march from Dhaka to Chittagong and Sylhet.

Participation of alliances, associate organizations and like-minded parties in the programmes from both the camps has been confirmed.

While BNP, the immediate-past ruling party, is taking preparation for the tough movement, including long march, government leaders are sounding threats of countering the opposition gambit.

Under the circumstances, intelligence agencies also apprehend anarchy if the political parties got divided into two lineups and started field-capturing politics.

In view of the developments, some senior citizens are also worried about any such happening as the bloody political confrontation that led on to the 1/11 episode in 2007. The changeover brought political nemesis for most top politicians of the country—they were all thrown behind bars.           

Acting general secretary of Awami League Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif told banglanews that the opposition party has the right to make constructive criticism of the government.

“But the government will take stern action against those who will try to let loose anarchy and plot conspiracy to foil the war-crime trial,” he said, signaling a counteroffensive in the country’s baroque political arena.

He said, “If the political parties observe their programmes in peaceful manner, the possibility of clash would be slim.”

He expressed anxiety over price hike of essentials but gave the blame on the profit-mongering businessmen, especially during the just-past Ramadan and eid.

The government party leader lamented that some businessmen always jack up prices of essentials before any national festival.

Awami League organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haque told banglanews that BNP has given threat of anti-government movement to foil the war-crime trial.

“Zia freed the war criminals from jail and gave the opportunity of doing politics, and now Khaleda Zia is trying to save Nizami, Mujahid and others,” he said in a blistering criticism of his political adversaries.

Mozammel forewarned that the government would take legal action if the opposition parties tried to create anarchy in the country.

BNP Standing Committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain told banglanews that the government behaved rudely with the BNP leaders and activists.

“They couldn’t give anything to the countrymen but meting out torture to the opposition leaders in the last 19 months,” said the ex-minister.

“The government has to bear the responsibility if they spoil our peaceful programme,” he said.

Another BNP standing committee member, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, said that there will be a competition to gain the support on behalf of the party.

“BNP will go for movement for realizing people’s basic demands It is the government’s evil intension to find out anarchy in the movement,” he said.      

He also warned that the government would be held responsible if the situation worsened.

Political scientist and former Vice-chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Emazuddin Ahmed told banglanews that general people must be worried over counter-programmes by the major political parties.

He emphasizes negotiation between the two parties to avert losses to be incurred by the common man due to such “aggressive programmes”.

“If the opposition takes to street with their demands and the ruling party declares stance to resist that then law and order must take a tumble,” said the political pundit.   
 
BDST: 1400 HRS, SEPT 15, 2010