BNP activists started gathering in Faridpur from Wednesday, three days ahead of the party’s scheduled rally.

Hundreds of BNP activists and leaders from Shariatpur, led by Khokon Talukder, BNP central executive committee’s assistant public education secretary, arrived at the Abdul Aziz Institute premises under Komorpur upazila on Wednesday at 10 pm.

Khokon Talukder said they were the first to arrive in Faridpur. On Thursday morning, hundreds of more activists from Shariatpur and Rajbari districts started coming to the venue, keeping in mind the transport strikes.

He said organisers have arranged food and accommodation for the BNP activists.

Read: Arrest, harassment continue to foil anti-government rally in Faridpur, says BNP

Helana Begum, a local woman cooking for the activists at the venue, said on Thursday noon food for 2,000 people was prepared.

Shama Obaid, BNP central committee member, said the government is creating various problems to obstruct a sea of people from joining the rally.

“As the transport workers will embark on a strike, the activists started arriving for the rally three days before,” she said.

Earlier on November 7, Faridpur transport sector workers and leaders said they would start a 38-hour long strike from 6am on November 11, demanding a ban on three-wheelers on highway.

Meanwhile, Faridpur Awami League General Secretary Shah Md Ishtiak said they won’t be obstructing BNP’s rally but will hold a rally at Rajendra College field on Friday morning, following previous schedule.

Read: Another BNP rally, another transport strike: This time in Faridpur

Sumon Ranjan Sarkar, Additional Superintendent of Police, said police activity in the area has been increased to maintain law and order situation.The organisers said the rally is meant to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuel, to ensure the freedom of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and demanding removal of politically motivated cases filed against the opposition activists and leaders.