DHAKA, Nov 23, 2022 (BSS) - Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the BNP leaders are indulging in rhetoric over their December 10 rally in the capital which reminds 'empty vessels sound much'.

"BNP leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, have been demanding the resignation of the government for the last 12 to 13 years. And they are in one-point movement. We know and understand what will happen on December 10 as they already held rallies across the country," he said.

The minister said they (BNP) did picnics at some places while carried out chaos in other places. And there was no reflection of their rhetoric which they made before those divisional level rallies, he added.

Hasan said these to reporters while replying to a query at the meeting room of his ministry at Secretariat.

He said the same people are traveling all over the country for BNP rallies. People went to Barishal by launch from Chattogram, people from Cumilla went to Sylhet. Even, people from Dhaka, Mymensingh and other parts went to another divisional rally of BNP, he added.

"We also know and understand that what will happen in Dhaka. But the government is providing all out cooperation so they can hold their rally peacefully. For this, they held their rallies without any hassle," said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

On the other hand, he said, they (BNP) had carried out grenade and bombs attacks on Awami League's rally when they were in power. They killed many people, 'even I was injured during the brutal grenade attacks', he added.

But, he said, a single cocktail did not blast in their (BNP) rally and it has only been possible as the government has ensured full-proof security.

The minister said it is a question why BNP wants to hold the rally in Naya Paltan. They are telling that a huge gathering will take place while some are claiming that 10 lakh people will gather in the rally, he added.

Besides, he said, a TV channel aired a report yesterday that about 25 lakh people will gather in the rally. But, the fact is that highest 50,000 people could gather in front of their Naya Paltan office and it is understood that the rally is already a flop before staging it, he added.

He said the ruling party didn't hold any rally by blocking any road. They (BNP) held their rallies at grounds at other areas. There is no such ground in the capita which can accommodate such a gathering they are telling about, he added.

"In fact, I don't see anywhere except Purbachal because there is no other place for gathering 10 to 20 lakh people except it. It is easy to understand why they want to hold the rally in front of Naya Paltan office. They want to create chaos like Hefazat Islam. They want to carry out vandalism and arson attacks on vehicles and public properties to create a special situation in the country. But the people of Bangladesh and Dhaka city will not allow them," said Hasan.

He said the leaders and activists of Awami League will be on alert at every ward on December 10. The base of the party (AL) is deeply rooted and all activists remain alert to resist terrorists, he added.

Replying to another query over bus-truck strike on December 10, the minister said the associations of buses and trucks are private organizations and leaders of all parties are in those associations. It is their matter and the government has no nothing to do with this, said Hasan.