Leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance will be on the street from September 18 to fight conspiracies ahead of the upcoming general elections slated to be held at the end of December.

AL's presidium member Mohammed Nasim, also spokesperson of the alliance, made the announcement after a meeting of the allies.

The meeting was held at the AL president's Dhanmondi office with Jatiya party (JP-Manju) General Secretary Sheikh Shahid in the chair.

“The 14-party alliance will hold rallies in the divisional cities in phases from September 18 till the announcement of the election schedule. A conspiracy is on to foil the national polls … We will work together against those conspiracies and for ensuring the victory of democracy,” said Nasim, also the health minister.

Nasim came down heavily on Jukto Front, an alliance led by Bikalpadhara Bangladesh chief AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, saying the Front leaders are conspiring to foil the election “after a failed judicial coup”.

Last month, Law Minister Anisul Haque also alleged that a judicial coup was plotted through Surendra Kuma Sinha to overthrow the government, but the government successfully thwarted the attempt.

Nasim said, "Whenever election comes, a known evil group becomes active. They bring into the fore some unconstitutional and unexpected questions. Election is a right of the people and participating in it is also a right of a political party. If they take preparations for the polls, we will welcome them."

Referring to some opposition parties' recent attempt to forge a national unity, Nasim said, “We know the quarter very well. They are engaged in hatching a conspiracy afresh. I believe the people are united against them and will remain alert against the vested quarter.”

The group wants to create anarchy across the country as they did ahead of the January 5, 2014 election, he alleged.

“We, the 14-party alliance leaders, will stay alert. I hope the people will do the same to make the next general election successful.”

About the possibility of a dialogue with the BNP ahead of the national polls, the AL leader said the 14-party alliance does not support any meaningless dialogue.

“Such a dialogue means a conspiracy to delay elections. It means a ploy to create a situation where an unconstitutional government can be formed. The 14-party alliance is not in favour of it; it's not ready for any compromise."

About the plan to introduce electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the next parliamentary polls, Nasim said, “It's up to the Election Commission whether they will use EVMs or not in the next polls. But, the people got benefits from the technology in the city corporation polls. Even BNP candidates won at many voting centres where the technology was used.”

About BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's remarks that the BNP will continue its movement for "ousting" the current government, Nasim said only the people can change a government through their mandate. “A party or group cannot change any government in a democratic country.”

Sources said several leaders of the 14-party alliance at the meeting strongly criticised Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain, Badruddoza Chowdhury of Bikalpadhara and Mahmudur Rahman Manna of Nagorik Oikya, saying they are conspiring against the government.

QUADER TO BNP

Also yesterday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister and AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader urged the BNP to follow democratic path to get people's mandate in the next general election.

“The party [BNP] must shun undemocratic demands to help democracy flourish in the country,” he told a press conference after a secretary-level meeting of the party at the AL president's political office at Dhanmondi here.

He also said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has no other way than court procedures to get released from jail.

About the BNP's opposition to use of EVMs in the general election, he said they would not be able to bring any allegation of vote rigging under EVM technology.