A tense atmosphere prevails in the districts and upazilas of Barisal ahead of the BNP's rally in the division scheduled for Saturday.

Owners and workers of road and water transports in the division are set to observe a strike from the day before the BNP rally. Furthermore, police have reportedly raided the houses of BNP leaders in different parts of Barisal over the past few days

At the same time, the Awami League has stepped up its activities in the division, with reports of clashes with the BNP coming in from some areas.

Barisal Metropolitan BNP convenor Moniruzzaman Farooq called the transport strike, raids and Awami League programs a deep conspiracy by leaders of the ruling party to disrupt the rally.

“They have even started harassment in the name of house-to-house searches by the police,” he claimed.

However, he said the circumstances would have no effect on the BNP and the November 5 rally would be the biggest in memory.

Saidur Rahman Rintu, joint convener of the District Launch Owners Association, Vice President of Barisal Metropolitan Awami League and Chairman of Barisal Sadar Upazila, said: “Water transports are making huge losses every day due to the increase in fuel oil prices and passenger shortages. In this situation, we can stop the launches at any time.”

Metropolitan Awami League Vice-President and City Corporation Panel Mayor Gazi Naemul Islam Litu confirmed that the Awami League had brought out simultaneous marches and rallies in 30 wards of Barisal city from Monday evening.

According to the Metropolitan Awami League, the marches and rallies have been planned to organize local leaders and activists on the occasion of the Jubo League's general meeting in Dhaka on November 11 and the Awami League's national conference on December 24.

BNP Joint Secretary General Advocate Mojibar Rahman Sarwar said the BNP wants to gather 500,000 people at the November 5 rally.

“Senior leaders have entered the field along with young BNP leaders to make the November 5 divisional rally a success, forgetting the rank-and-file conflict. The transport strike is a constraint, but it cannot stop the BNP leaders and workers from joining the divisional rally,” he added.

Metropolitan BNP convener Moniruzzan Farooq said: “After much drama having been gone through, permission has been given for the BNP to use the city's Bells Park (Bangabandhu Udyan) grounds for our meetings. But we didn't get mic or decorations in Barisal for the rally. As a result, decorations and mics are being brought from Dhaka.”