The political landscape may heat up extremely early next month as BNP and other opposition parties are set to start the final phase of the movement with harsher programmers to topple the government amid the ruling party’s warning of dire consequences.

Talking to UNB, several senior BNP leaders said their party may hold a public rally in Dhaka on October 28 from where they are likely to announce tougher programmes like marching towards important government offices or laying siege to these offices in the capital, observing sits in front of the secretariat or the Election Commission and blocking the entrances of Dhaka.

They, however, said the programmes will be finalised at the BNP standing committee’s meeting on September 23.  

The BNP leader said the main goal of their programmes is to prevent the announcement of the schedule for the next election and force the government to quit handing over power to an interim neutral government.

Awami League has lost the country and also foreigners: Amir Khasru

Meanwhile, BNP will hold a public rally in the capital on Wednesday to press home their one-point demand that includes the resignation of the government and the unconditional release of Khaleda Zia for her treatment abroad.

From the rally, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will announce to hold a grand rally in Dhaka on October 28. He is also supposed to give the government the last warning to accept their one-point movement to avoid fierce agitation.

“The Election Commission is likely to announce the election schedule in the middle of November. So, we want to start the strict programmes at least two weeks before the announcement of the schedule. We believe our movement will yield positive outcomes, creating a difficult situation for announcing the election schedule,” a BNP standing committee member told UNB, wishing anonymity.

Get ready for final agitation, no time to look back: Fakhrul

BNP leaders have already sat with the parties who have been carrying out simultaneous meetings with the party and took their opinions on the possible action programmes of their final phase of agitation. 

Most parties suggested programmes like besieging the secretariat and the Election Commission (EC) or marching towards the important office.

They also recommended some other tougher programmes, including road marches towards Dhaka from districts adjacent to the capital and marches towards the EC and the Supreme Court and hartal and blockade at the last stage.

Against this backdrop, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday warned that BNP will face dire consequences if it takes programmes like the blockade of the capital, triggering a fear of political violence.

Movement on right track, no election without voters this time, says Fakhrul

“We are also ready. BNP will get blocked once they try to blockade (Dhaka). BNP will be besieged and will have no paths to flee. Did they (Hefajat activists) not flee Shapla Chattar in the dead of night? The BNP will have to suffer even more dire situations," Quader told a youth rally in front of Awami League’s central office.

He also alleged that BNP leaders and workers have started gathering in Dhaka from across the country like they did in December last year. “All hotel rooms have been booked; they are renting flats. They are once again dreaming of ousting the government."

However, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they will begin their final round of movement with programmes focusing on Dhaka after Durga Puja.

He said their only goal is to ensure the fall of the current regime for the sake of a credible election through an unstoppable movement.

He said the opposition leaders and activists will take part in the final movement with fresh zeal and aspirations and make it a success at any cost.

"Insha'Allah, we will be able to defeat this terrible fascist regime through our peaceful movement,” the BNP leader said.

Nothing actually happened behind the scenes: Fakhrul

He called upon the government to quit power by handing over power to a neutral government to pave the way for holding the next election in a fair and credible manner.

BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku also said they are all set to initiate the final phase of the movement with harsher programmes after the Durga Puja.

“We’ll be there on the streets with different severe programmes to resist any move to announce a schedule for holding the next election under the current government. The election must be held under a neutral government in a fair, acceptable and inclusive manner. We’ll surely turn victorious.”

BNP joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said they have been holding meetings with the opposition parties to take all-out preparation to realise demand through a successful movement.

BNP staging token hunger strike seeking Khaleda's treatment abroad

“We’re discussing with the opposition parties and alliances how to strengthen our movement and the possible programmes. We’re confident that we’ll be able to force the government to accept our demand by intensifying our movement,” he said.

Alongside their like-minded parties, they have also been in discussion with the Islamic parties to join their movement and make it a success.