'Mega alliance' calls Dec 21 hartal, goes for Iajuddin's...

bdpublic · Editor Joined: 30 Nov 2006 Posts: 39

'Mega alliance' calls Dec 21 hartal, goes for Iajuddin's head

Dhaka, Dec 18 (bdnews24.com) – Sheikh Hasina Monday announced dawn-to-dusk hartal for December 21,which coincides with the last date for nomination filing, from a rally in Paltan ground and reasserted the elections must not be held by the current schedule that sets January 22 for vote.
Hasina demanded resignation of Iajuddin Ahmed from the interim government and the withdrawal of 345 election officials, as tens of thousands of supporters packed the Paltan venue amid tight security.
The 14-party alliance leader announced the launch of a "mega alliance" with Jatiya Party, Liberal Democratic Party, Zaker Party, a faction of Islami Oikya Jote and Islamic Front Bangladesh.
The heart of the city swelled into a human sea as leaders and activists of the 14-party alliance and Jatiya Party poured into the venue.
"Failure of the Iajuddin government is now universally proved," she told the grand rally.
The 14-party chief said people would resist a one-sided election. She said the vote deadline, which is now January 22, announced by the Election Commission in a changed plan Monday, must be pushed back.
The 14-party rally came a day before another grand rally the BNP and its allies planned for Tuesday in the build-up to the elections.
The AL president demanded removal of controversial officials from the main election office, including SM Zakaria.
In an emotive address, Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad, who has been at the centre of public attention, said his party would join all programmes of the 14-party.
Earlier, Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil announced Ershad's address to the rally, sending cheers into crowds.
Empty spaces of the ground were filled immediately, as thousands of activists scattered across the streets streamed into the venue when Jalil said Ershad and Badruddoza Chowdhury would join the rally to challenge the four-party coalition in a renewed way.
Ershad apologised for 'mistakes' he made during his nine-year rule.
"In nine years of my rule, there was a lot of development. But there might have been some mistakes too. I apologise," Ershad told the rally.
"The journey of a grand alliance starts today (Monday)," Ershad said.
"I have joined this grand rally treading a turbulent path. This grand rally is taking place at a crucial juncture of national life."
Ershad said he and his party faced repression every day. "Five days ago I was given a jail term after only one day's hearing and without a chance to defend. My fault was, I protested the corruption of the former government."
The Jatiya Party chief said: "I have been threatened that I would be sent to jail and would come out dead. I am a soldier and am not afraid of death."
"I was a chained politician. Today I have broken all shackles."
The supporters carried banners and placards, reading, "We won't accept elections under Iajuddin", "Stop conspiracy to rig the polls" and "People don't want to see Razakars in state power".
Many carried caricatures of BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman while others chanted slogans, "We want Sheikh Hasina's government, now".
Hasina who arrived at the rally at 4:06pm fired barbs of blame on the BNP and its allies that ruled the country for five years. She said budget did not trickle down to the poor. She alleged that the four-party pillaged state coffers.
"The army is not supposed to guard thieves… People would resist a one-sided election."
She promised "wealth looted in the last five years by the BNP-Jamaat government would be given if voted back to power".
LDP chairman Badruddoza Chowdhury joined the rally at 4:30pm to combine forces with the 14-party alliance against their rival BNP and its allies.
Bangladesh Bar Council Vice-Chairman Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud joined the Awami League on the sidelines of the rally.
Law enforcers tightened security in and around the venue. The officials used metal detectors and sniffer dogs to search the venue while many others watched the rally with binoculars from rooftops of the surrounding buildings and stadiums.
Police used video cameras to take pictures of the rally as part of security measures.
Most of JP presidium members, including Kazi Zafar Ahmed, and former MPs joined the rally. Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader arrived at 3:15pm.
Hawlader said the decision to join the rally came in line with the instructions of Ershad, who was rumoured to have gone into hiding after the High Court sentenced him to two years in prison in a graft case.
The police restricted traffic on the roads to the venue, jamming Naya Paltan and other roads with heavy traffic.
Leaders and workers of the 14-party from across the country started pouring into the heart of the city singing songs and chanting slogans since midday, witnesses said.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police banned carrying of sticks and oars in processions in beefed-up security measures to control probable violence.
The areas put under police restrictions are High Court, National Press Club, Paltan, Dainik Bangla, Fakirerpool, RAJUK Avenue, GPO, Bijoynagar, Fulbaria, Kaptanbazar, Joykali Mandir, Ittefaq and Bangabandhu Avenue.
BDR personnel were deployed to aid 8,000 police and RAB officers kept on standby for special security.

Source: bdnews24
http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=53225#tp53225

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