The BNP held a rally in front of its central office in the capital yesterday, the first big open gathering in recent years, which political analysts deem as a sign towards ending the ongoing ‘politics of confrontation’. The BNP, which boycotted the Jan 5, 2014 elections, failed to hold such a big rally in the capital, mainly in the absence of permission from the authorities concerned.

Political analysts say that the permission for the BNP rally, just a few months ahead of the next general elections, is a good indicator.

The next general elections are scheduled to be held by the end of this year. The BNP was allowed to hold the rally just a day before the AL is scheduled to give Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a grand reception for her success in different sectors. Hasina is expected to talk about the next election at the programme.

After the last public gathering in front of Nayapaltan central office on 5th January, 2016 the party was refused on eight to ten occasions to hold a rally before yesterday’s one.

However, the party was  allowed to hold two rallies at Suhrawardy Udyan on May 1, 2016 and November 12, 2017. Political analysts see a ray of hope in the BNP rally and the party’s recent moves to forge a greater political alliance for the next election. They also laud the Prime Minister’s recent statement the next national election will be an inclusive one.

Former election commissioner Brig. Gen. (retired) M Sakhawat Hossain hailed the government for allowing the BNP to hold the rally in the capital. He said such move by the government would help reduce political tensions in the country. “It’s a good sign for democracy. I think that the government wants the BNP in the next polls as no one wants a January 5-like election again in the country,” he added.

Renowned educationist and former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Emajuddin Ahmed said, “I welcome the government move to allow BNP to hold rally in front of its party office as a starting of democratic system and wish to see everyone to nurture this mentality in every sphere.” Another political analyst and civil society member, wishing not to be named, said, “Allowing BNP to hold such a big rally in the capital is certainly a good sign …   the BNP should be allowed to hold more such programmes as it will ultimately usher in a congenial political and poll-conducive environment.”

Meanwhile, BNP leaders termed the government’s attitude towards them (BNP) as positive and hoped that the AL-run government would engage in positive politics.

When contacted, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said: “We practise positive politics. I hope the Sheikh Hasina government will show such attitude towards us for the sake of democracy in the country.”

Earlier, on Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had expressed her firm confidence that the EC would be able to hold an inclusive, fair and neutral general election by the end of this year.

Talking to this correspondent, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said it would be clear by October whether or not the BNP would join the next general election. “This is not the right time to discuss if the BNP would participate in the next national election,” he added.

“The AL believes in democracy. If the BNP doesn’t create anarchy in the name of launching a movement, it will again get permission to hold such rallies in future,” AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif told The Independent yesterday.