Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's pre-election speeches were played at Wednesday's divisional rally of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party at Paltan Maidan to prove how the Awami League government has 'deviated from its election pledges'.
Four video clips containing Sheikh Hasina's recorded speech delivered in the run up to 2008 general election in which she made several election pledges including ensuring availability of rice at Tk 10 per kilogram and providing job for at least one from each family were played on a big screen set up next to the main stage at Paltan Maidan.
The video clips were also shown on other screens set up at different points around Paltan Maidan. The video clips also showed that Sheikh Hasina had promised to provide the farmers fertilisers and seeds free of cost and to make education free for both male and female students up to degree level.
Showing the video clips, BNP chairperson's press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan said, 'You all see how Sheikh Hasina lies and deviates from her election pledges.' He termed Sheikh Hasina a 'lair and a betrayer'.The divisional grand rally assumed a festive look as thousands of people attended it with colourful banners, festoons, placards and portraits of Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman.
But such festive atmosphere at the rally was marred by sporadic clashes among the different groups of the party's front organisations over seating arrangements. Thousands of party supporters and activists started coming towards the venue since before the noon with processions chanting slogans in favour of the party and against the government.
The party activists also carried party's election symbol—the sheaf of paddy—while many jubilant workers sang and danced with band music turning the rally into a big show against the government.
Security forces installed closed circuit cameras on several points and groups of Rapid Action Battalion patrolled the surrounding areas on motorcycles. A large number of police were deployed on the ground, at the entry points, and on top of buildings around Paltan Maidan.
People entered the rally ground without any frisking, though Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haque had earlier said they would frisk all people while entering the ground.
Meanwhile, the entire city faced tremendous traffic congestion as the transport network was disrupted while vehicles had to be diverted from near the venue of the BNP rally since noon. Many people were seen walking a long way to reach their destination.
The party activists also carried party's election symbol—the sheaf of paddy—while many jubilant workers sang and danced with band music turning the rally into a big show against the government.
Security forces installed closed circuit cameras on several points and groups of Rapid Action Battalion patrolled the surrounding areas on motorcycles. A large number of police were deployed on the ground, at the entry points, and on top of buildings around Paltan Maidan.
People entered the rally ground without any frisking, though Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haque had earlier said they would frisk all people while entering the ground.
Meanwhile, the entire city faced tremendous traffic congestion as the transport network was disrupted while vehicles had to be diverted from near the venue of the BNP rally since noon. Many people were seen walking a long way to reach their destination.
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