AL sets up Bijoy Mancha to run campaign

The Awami League-led 14-party alliance yesterday launched the Bijoy Mancha (stage of victory) across the country to run a two-week election campaign till December 28.

With the theme “Amar vote ami dibo, muktijuddher pokkhey dibo” (I will cast my own vote, and do it in favour of Liberation War), Sammilita Muktijoddha Sangsad and Sammilita Sangskritik Jote has taken the initiative.

The main stage is set up in the capital's Shahbagh, and the others at upazila and district levels.

The platform will feature programmes from 4:00pm to 9:00pm every day, including discussions, photo exhibition, film screening, playing of patriotic songs, poetry recital, and displaying of banners, festoons, and posters on history of the Liberation War.

Addressing the inauguration at Shahbagh, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim said the stage was set up to seek vote for the alliance. “The upcoming election is very important like that of 1970, as anti-Liberation War forces are hatching conspiracies,” he said.

Nasim, coordinator of the alliance, said he expects people to vote for “boat” to give a befitting reply to Dr Kamal Hossain and Kader Siddique, former leaders of AL. 

“Razakars betrayed the people in 1971. Today some people are betraying the values of the Liberation War although they were once very close to Bangabandhu.”

In his speech, Shipping Minister and Sammilita Muktijoddha Sangsad convener Shajahan Khan said even if any war criminal wins the election, AL will not allow him into the 11th parliament.

“We want to build a country in the light of Liberation War spirit under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he added.     

Sammilita Sangskritik Jote President and Bijoy Mancha coordinator Golam Kuddus and Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua also spoke at the programme.