Ganatantra Mancha, a combine of six political parties, staged a demonstration on Friday rejecting the January 7 general election and demanding fresh one under a neutral government.
The alliance staged a rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, where leaders of the platform termed the election as ‘dummy’ and ‘one-sided’ poll.
People of the country refrained from casting their votes on January 7, supporting the opposition’s ongoing movement, they claimed.
They said that there was a doubt whether the real percentage of votes in the election would be five to six per cent.
The leaders warned that they would continue the movement based on their legitimate demand for a fair and participatory election and the step down of the ruling Awami League government.
The allies of the ruling Awami League, who participated in the election, testified that there was rigging in the poll. Also, people rejected this election and the democratic world didn’t accept it, they said.
They claimed that the lawmakers and ministers took oath so quickly because of fear.
The moral power that people had shown by boycotting the poll was the power of democracy. It was the power of human dignity, and justice. Also, it was the beginning of new mass resistance, the leaders said.
The ongoing movement would be strengthened with new energy and the government would have to step down facing people’s move, they added.
Nagarik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna presided over the rally, where Revolutionary Workers Party general secretary Saiful Huq, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Zonayed Saki, Rastra Sanskar Andolan chief coordinator Hasnat Quaiyum, Rastra Sanskar Andolan convener Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD senior vice president Tania Rob spoke, among others.
Meanwhile, Gono Odhikar Parishad faction, led by its president Nurul Haque Nur, held a rally in the Bijoynagar area of the capital, demanding the same.
