The grand rally of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the ruling Awami League, will be held at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital today (Friday) to pay tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address the rally as the chief guest to be held at 3pm.
BCL hopes that it is going to be a historic gathering as students from across the country will participate in the rally to give an ultimatum to BNP-Jamaat, the external enemies of this country and people, war criminals, militants and terrorists, said BCL leaders.
BCL President Saddam Hussein will chair the rally, said a BCL press release.
Speaking at a press conference earlier, Saddam said, "Our politics is based on ideals and rules of the constitution. We do not believe in the politics of violence."
"The students and the representatives of the young generation will express their disbelief against anti-liberation forces," Saddam added.
Leaders and activists of BCL from central to grassroots level have will attend the gathering in groups. Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders and activists are in a state of excitement mood to join the largest ever student gathering at Suhrawardy Udyan today.
Tanveer Hasan Saikat, general secretary of Dhaka University unit, said that the main goal of Chhatra League is to spread the message of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's announcement among student community to build 'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041.
Saikat also said that the Bangladesh Chhatra League will take oath in the presence of Sheikh Hasina today to work for Awami League for its ‘absolute victory’ in the upcoming national elections. Bangladesh Chhatra League expects more than five lakh students will gather at Suhrawardy Udyan today.
Activists from every university, medical college, city, district, upazila, municipality, union units of the BCL will join with their leaders and workers, students and youths. The best unit among the units to be present in the assembly will be awarded organisationally. Similarly, organization that will fail to demonstrate appropriate participation will come under disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, Awami League has organised a gathering on the ground adjacent to the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on the occasion of the official inauguration of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway tomorrow (Saturday). Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to attend the gatherings as the chief guest.
According to party sources, Awami League wants to show its strength through a big showdown in the capital through two gatherings. A strong message has also been given from the centre to the grassroots level to ensure attendance at the gatherings. Awami League wants to gather at least five lakh people at the old trade fair ground at Sher-e-Banglanagar. And for this purpose, the central Awami League has set a target of gathering at least 5 lakh, leaders and workers from Dhaka North and South Awami League units.
Besides, the 11 district committees of Dhaka Division have also been asked to ensure a large gathering of people. In order to succeed the historic grand gathering, a preparatory meeting was held at the central office of Bangladesh Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue on August 28.
Jubo League general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil said that the meeting on September 2 (Saturday) will turn into a historic gathering. Jubo League will play the important role as the loyal vanguard of Bangabandhu's daughter in order to make the rally a success. Streets will be under the control of Awami League and Jubo League until the election.
Meanwhile, DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq Thursday visited Suhrawardy Udyan and inspected security arrangements taken for peaceful holding of the rally.