PARTHA PRATIM BHATTACHARJEE

The Awami League seems unruffled by the BNP’s 10-point demand announced at Saturday’s rally.

The ruling party sees no issue that could be a cause for concern in the days to come, AL insiders said.

The party leaders believe the “bubble of the BNP’s much-hyped divisional rallies had burst as it came up with the same old demands”.

The AL, however, had been “worried” about the BNP’s December 10 rally as it was somewhat clueless about what the opposition party would do. And the ruling party felt relieved as there was no unexpected situation centring the rally.

It now wants to fully concentrate on its campaign for the next national polls, slated for January 2024, and expand its alliance by bringing in like-minded parties, said party insiders.

“The Speaker’s acceptance of resignations of the BNP MPs and declaration that the parliamentary seats are vacant proved that the government is not taking the BNP’s demands seriously,” a central committee member of the AL told The Daily Star, seeking anonymity.

At a rally in Jashore on November 24, Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina sought votes for “boat”, the electoral symbol of the ruling party. With this call, the AL kicked off its campaign.