BNP-led 20-party alliance partner Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (Rtd) Oli Ahmed today called upon the opposition political parties to be restrained ahead of the next general election.

At the same time, Oli Ahmed also urged the government to be more flexible to avert chaos to hold the next general election in a free, fair and credible manner.

“Otherwise, there will be more bloodshed as the day progresses,” Oli Ahmed came up with the apprehension while addressing a programme at the party’s Dhaka headquarters this afternoon.

Oli Ahmed, who was also one of the key founder members of BNP, called upon the prime minister to avert the possible bloodshed paving the path of holding the next general election in a free, fair and credible manner.           

“No problem will be solved by using abusive words or threatening anyone. Let’s go for talks,” the LDP chief said.

Oli Ahmed urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to create a scope for talks to address the issues on how the level playing field for all political parties would be created ahead of the national polls.

On October 26, 2006, about 102 leaders including 13 lawmakers with a state minister, a deputy minister and an adviser to the then prime minister resigned from BNP led by its standing committee member Col (retd) Oli Ahmad. The defection en masse came protesting 'record corruption' and 'dynasty' in the party.

To counter the BNP and Oikya Prokriya's programmes in October, the Awami League-led 14-party alliance would hold rallies in Dhaka and three other districts.

The alliance leaders also termed the greater unity a conspiracy against the government.

The alliance Convener Mohammed Nasim yesterday said the rallies would start from October 9 to warm-up the voters ahead of the national polls likely in December.

“We have heard that they [BNP, Jatiya Oikya Prokriya and Juktofront] will take to the streets in October. But that October will never come,” he told a meeting of activists of the AL-led alliance in the capital's Mohanagar Natya Mancha.

The health minister also said a “grand rally” would be held in the capital in October and its date would be announced later.

Rallies will be held in Rajshahi on October 9, Natore on 10 and Khulna on 13, he added.

Similar events will be organised across the country in the coming days, he said.

“We will hold a grand rally in Dhaka in October ensuring Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's consent and presence.”

On September 22, Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, held a citizen's rally at Mohanagar Natya Mancha. The event was attended by several top BNP leaders, Juktofront Chief Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and several leaders of different political parties.

Dr Kamal issued an ultimatum to the government to meet three-point demands, including formation of a polls-time neutral government by today.

Jatiya Oikya Prokriya also announced rallies at different parts of the country from October 1.

Political leaders, who attended the event, stressed the need for forging greater national unity with the demand for a free, fair and inclusive election.

At yesterday's meeting of the AL-led alliance, party leaders slammed Dr Kamal and B Chowdhury for forging the greater national unity.

Conspiracy against Sheikh Hasina has started, Nasim said.

They also termed the unity a fresh conspiracy against the government ahead of the national election.

He called upon the alliance leaders and activists to be prepared to leave their houses if needed.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu said BNP was sinking as a party and had been trying to survive through forging an alliance.

Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said they have formed the unity to harm the country's independence.

Rashed Khan Menon, Anwar Hossain Manju, Sharif Nurul Ambia, Dilip Barua and Nozibul Bashar among other 14-party leaders spoke.