They said the government had insulted the people of Bikrampur by attacking former president Badruddoza Chowdhury and it was time to retaliate through ballot on June 6.

B Chowdhury as chief guest addressed the meeting, organised as a part of the election campaign of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) candidate Mahi B Chowdhury.

Thousands of people from Srinagar and Sirajdikhan gathered in Srinagar Stadium ignoring the bad weather and extended support to Mahi.

BDB chief B Chowdhury said the election symbol 'Kula' was a token by which the people would reject 'the evil forces from the government'. He asked all to start oust-government movement under the BDB's umbrella.

Major (Retd) Abdul Mannan, secretary general of the BDB, said the corrupt government was afraid of his party, and that was why they were trying to deprive the BDB of its election symbol 'Kula'.

Mahi urged BDB activists not to maintain any relations with the government that steals people's money and patronises crime.

As many as 243,451 voters will select their representative in the by-elections. The Election Commission will deploy 500 military and para-military forces at 59 polling centres in the constituency, all of which have been identified as vulnerable.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Srinagar Ehsanul Parvez told newspersons yesterday that all necessary measures were taken for peaceful and transparent polls.