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Mentionable, transport strikes were also called ahead of the BNP’s recent rallies in Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, and Barishal.

The party maintains that these strikes are part of an attempt by the ruling Awami League to keep BNP supporters from taking part in the rallies.

AL central leaders and multiple ministers, however, denied the allegation, saying that the ruling party had nothing to do with the strikes as the transport associations are “independent”.

According to media reports, almost all top leaders of the transport associations that called the strikes either belong to the ruling party or are supporters of its allies.

Meanwhile, keeping in mind that the transport strike in Faridpur starts today, BNP leaders and activists have started to arrive at the venue in droves to join the party’s Saturday rally.

The programme is scheduled to be held at Abdul Aziz Institution ground in Komorpur area, around six km away from the district headquarters.

Visiting the venue yesterday evening, this correspondent found hundreds of BNP men from adjoining districts, including Rajbari and Shariatpur, have already reached the area.

Some were staying at the institution’s two classrooms, while many were seen waiting in the corridors and ground.

Besides, some BNP men took shelter at houses near the venue.

“Some 700 leaders and activists of our party came here around 5:00pm today [Thursday], as bus operations will remain suspended from tomorrow,” said Habibur Sheikh, 76, a BNP activist who came from Jalilpara village of Rajbari’s Pangsha upazila.

Md Mahafuj Bepari, 21, another BNP activist, who came from Shariatpur’s Damudya upazila, said they feared they might face problems reaching Faridpur after the suspension of bus operations, and that’s why they decided to reach the venue two days earlier.

Contacted, Syed Modarresh Ali, convener of Faridpur district BNP, said, “The strike has been called only to foil our rally. But thousands of people will join the rally defying all kinds of obstructions and harassments. Our programme will be a success.”

On Wednesday, BNP leaders at a press conference in Faridpur alleged law enforcers were raiding the homes of party workers ahead of its rallies.

Police, however, denied the allegation.

The BNP will hold the rally in Faridpur tomorrow as part of its series of rallies in the divisional cities, protesting the price hike of essentials and fuel, recent killings of five party men in police firings and demanding release of its party chairperson Khaleda Zia.