The ruling party policy makers believe that the current anti-government movement has no public support and will not gain momentum.

They, however, resolved yesterday that the Awami League needed to launch counter-offensive against the opposition’s political propaganda immediately.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired a meeting of the AL presidium last evening when these observations and decisions were made. Several nonpresidium members of the Cabinet, including Home Minister Mohammad Nasim, were present at the meeting, sources said.

The .meeting was held in view of the opposition programme “to lay siege to the Secretariat" slated for September 12 and the PM's scheduled trip abroad staring September 13, a senior AL leader told the Daily

Star.

The presidium decided that the ruling party would not bring out any procession in the city on September 12, meeting sources said. But the government, especially the home ministry, would keep vigil on any opposition attempt to create anarchy in and arourtd the seat of government, the sources said.

The party high Command also felt that the local government elections, including those to city corporations and Up-azlla Parishads. should be held on time, which would contribute to diffusing the opposition movement

As part of its planned counter-campaign, the AL will start holding public rallies across the country from the third week of this month. Central leaders and ministers would be addressing the public meetings at the district level.