They said the destructive activities of the extremist forces cannot be stopped until a people's government comes to power through a free and fare election.

The rally was organised by a combine of the parties the AL, components of the left-leaning 11-paty alliance, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) and National Awami Party (NAP) at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city in protest against the bomb blasts.

"It is quite impossible for the communal extremist forces to carryout bomb attacks in 63 districts simultaneously without direct patronisation of the government," said AL Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed.

He said the bomb blasts have once again proved that the government has brought the country on the verge of destruction.

The extremist forces through Wednesday's bomb attacks have shown that they are now able to capture the country, said Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon.

He said British Prime Minister Tony Blair returned to his own country from G-8 Conference venue when only four bombs were blasted in England, but our prime minister has not shortened her China visit despite blasting of 500 bombs.

"When Rome was burning, Niro was playing flute and when more than 500 bombs were blasting in the country, our prime minister was eating Chinese dishes," said AL Presidium Member Suranjit Sengupta.

AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil called upon the people to be united to compel the government to meet the demand for reforms in electoral and caretaker government system for safeguarding the country's independence.

"The BNP-Jamaat-led alliance government as usual has accused Awami League of conducting the bomb blasts," said AL Presidium Member Abdur Razzak.

The terrible bomb blasts were carried out when the entire nation has become united on the question of holding a free and fare election, he added.

The anti-liberation forces conducted the bomb attacks to divert the people's attention from holding a free and fare election to different track, said JSD President Hasanul Haque Inu.

Presided over by AL Presidium Member Amir Hossain Amu, the rally was also addressed by AL leaders Matia Chowdhury, Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Joint General Secretary Obaidul Kader, Mohammad Hanif, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Gono Forum leader Pankaj Bhattacharya and Gonotantrik Party leader Azizul Islam Khan.

Later a procession was brought out that ended at Muktangon after parading different city streets.