The threat from the BNP-led 18-party alliance and counter-threat from the ruling Awami League are likely to worsen the political crisis and ruin the dialogue prospect the UN envoy Oscar Fernandez Taranco initiated.
Some BNP leaders think the situation might “aggravate” when the candidates will go to their constituencies for electoral campaign.
The BNP has already decided to wage countrywide blockade from December 17 or 18 until December 24 or 25 as they believe that solution to the crisis will not come through dialogue.
“We have decided to enforce blockade programme from December 17 to December 25. But the date might be changed by a day as December 16 is the Victory Day,” a senior leader told the Dhaka Tribune.
Seeking anonymity, he said: “There is no hope. The government wants to buy time in the name of dialogue while 154 candidates have already been elected uncontested. Is not it pointless to hold a dialogue?”
After the announcement of the January 5 polls, the opposition combine started a series of blockades demanding a non-partisan interim government and suspension of the schedule.
The movement turned violent killing scores of people and injuring many. Over 200 incidents of snapping rail connection followed by accidents and destruction of public property marked the programes.
Leaders of the Awami League yesterday asked the party leaders and activists to resist and launch counter attack on “those who are inciting anarchy across the country.”
Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif siad: “Enough is enough. Stop terrorist activities. After the Victory Day there will be befitting reply to every attack.”
A BNP leader said: “Asaduzzaman Noor has already came under attack. [Shamsul Huq] Tuku’s house was attacked too. Such incidents will rise in future.”
Source: Dhaka Tribune
