BNP has been in anti-government agitation for more than a year, starting from July last year. It has been challenging for the BNP to run a street movement for so long, while innumerable party leaders and workers from the center to the grassroots level are facing all kinds of issues. The top leadership of the party feels that the government will now take more strict action on BNP. This has become even more clear from the recent statements of senior police and administration officials. Many senior BNP leaders said that keeping this in mind, the party has to plan the final phase of its movement.
BNP leaders are also feeling pressure on the ruling party’s decision to hold elections by any means. They feel that if it is possible for the government to conduct elections unilaterally, then the government will come down more harshly on BNP than before. The very existence of BNP will be in danger and the repression of its leaders and workers will increase manifold across the country.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, a leader at the policy making level in the BNP said that considering the behavior of the government and the pressure from leaders and workers at various levels within the party, it has become necessary to take the movement to the final stage. They feel that the US visa policy, as well as other initiatives of the West, are aiding their movement.
BNP wants to take its movement to its end because now there is no scope of turning back. Today, October 18 (Wednesday) is the last program of the current phase of the party’s movement. It plans to launch a vigorous program from the end of this month. BNP leaders say that no matter how difficult the situation becomes, they will remain on the streets. There is no way they will participate in any elections under the current government. Unless the government makes any announcement in this regard, they will not be involved in any talks with the government.