AL conspiring to hold 'controlled' polls: LDA

Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) yesterday alleged that ruling Awami League-led alliance is hatching a conspiracy for holding a “controlled and one-sided election” again like the one of January 5, 2014.

LDA, a coalition of eight left-leaning political parties, also alleged that the AL-led government did not form an election-time government by dissolving the incumbent parliament, and did not reform the Election Commission to ensure a free and fair election.

Candidates of LDA from constituencies in Dhaka made the allegation at a rally, after placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital to kick off their campaign.

Speaking at the rally, Shah Alam, coordinator of LDA, said doubt is rising whether people of the country will be able to vote at the upcoming election. 

Left Democratic Alliance placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar to start their campaign. Photo: Palash Khan

“People want to get rid of bipartisan politics by AL and BNP, and we will try to fulfill people's demands as an alternative force,” said Shah Alam, also general secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB).

Naima Khaled Monika, a candidate of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) from Dhaka-16, said that holding a free and fair election depends on elimination of three factors: politics of looting, muscle power and spending of black money during the election.

“We will try to change the whole system if we are voted to power,” she added.

Speaking at the rally, Ahsan Habib Lablu, a candidate of CPB for Dhaka-13, vowed to bring reforms in the country in the light of the ideology of the Liberation War, by establishing four basic principles of the constitution properly.

Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganasamhati Andolon and also a candidate for Dhaka-12, urged countrymen to cast vote for the alliance's candidates to build up an effective democracy and to ensure development for all, including marginalised communities of the country.

Among others, eight other candidates from different constituencies under Dhaka, CPB president Mujahidul Islam Selim, BSD General Secretary Khalekuzzaman, Revolutionary Workers' Party of Bangladesh General Secretary Saiful Huq and Ganatantrik Biplobi Party General Secretary Moshrefa Mishu were also present.

Meanwhile, in a press release, LDA said its election manifesto will be announced at a press conference at Mukti Bhaban in the capital's Purana Paltan today.