Attempt to hold polls sans reform to be resisted

They said anticipating a sure defeat in the next general election, if it is held in a free and fair atmosphere, the four-party alliance government is trying their best to politicise the Election Commission to retain power through election engineering and ignoring people's demand for reform.

They were speaking at a big rally at Olonkar Intersection in the port city yesterday. The rally was held before the Divisional Road March of the 14-party opposition combine.

Chittagong City Corporation Mayor and city AL President ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury presided over the rally where AL General Secretary and Coordinator of 14-party Abdul Jalil MP, AL presidium members Abdur Razzak MP, Amir Hossain Amu, Matia Chowdhury MP, Tofael Ahmed, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Hoque Inu, Gono Forum Presidium Member Pankoj Bhattacharyia, Workers Party leader Fazle Hossain Badsha, AL Organising Secretary Bir Bahadur MP, Samyabadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua and JSD leader Mainuddin Khan Badal addressed.

Matia Chowdhury said reform is a must for holding a free and fair election in a peaceful way.

Hasanul Hoque Inu said 14-party is fighting not only for power but also for removing poverty, corruption and violence from the country.

Pankaj Bhattacharyia said the opposition parties were united for establishing a secular, democratic and accountable government.

Abdur Razzak said BNP-Jamaat alliance government in the last five years established a land of murder and terror by killing a number of opposition leaders and people including former Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria, Ivy Rahman, Ahsanullah Master, journalist Manik Shaha, Humayun Kabir Balu, Dr Humayun Azad, Rajshahi University teacher Prof Taher and others.

Criticising the government, Tofael Ahmed said it is yet to place an investigation report on August 21 grenade attacks on AL rally in Dhaka.

City Mayor Mohiuddin said the huge support they got from the people of Comilla, Chandpur, Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox's Bazar during their five-day divisional road marches earlier this month proved that the people of the region also want an immediate reform as demanded by 14-party.