"Fake voters from Feni and Noakhali are being herded to Chittagong as they fear a defeat in the election," Hasina said addressing the first national convention of Peshajibi Samannay Parishad at Institution of Engineers auditorium in Dhaka.

The AL chief stressed greater unity of pro-liberation forces and said her party is ready to make any sacrifice for such a unity for the betterment of the country.

Leaders of the mainstream opposition political parties and different professional groups addressing the convention also called for a strong unity of progressive political parties.

Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain, Communist Party of Bangladesh General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim, Worker Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu, AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil and barrister Amir Ul Islam also addressed the function.

The opposition leader alleged that the candidates of ruling four-party alliance are spending crores of taka to buy votes in the CCC election.

"We have come to know that the police are planning to arrest innocent people and torture them in the Awami League dominated areas of Chittagong to ensure defeat of the opposition candidates," Hasina told the meeting.

She also alleged that the government is planning to prevent voters in the Awami League dominated areas from casting their votes in the May 9 election.

Responding to Dr Kamal's proposal to form a greater unity among progressive political parties, Hasina said, "Awami League and like-minded political parties are now carrying on a movement together on different issues. We have to gear it up."

Hasina once again demanded reforms in the caretaker government system and Election Commission to make the next general election free, fair and transparent.

Referring to the "crossfire" by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), she said petty criminals are being killed in 'crossfire' in the name of improving law and order situation. "What about the godfathers who have created and harboured criminals like Kala Jahangir?"

Hasina criticised the government for its "failure" to curb price spiral of essentials and downslide in law and order and to ensure punishment of the perpetrators of the bomb and grenade attacks that killed scores of people.

Speaking at the convention, Dr Kamal urged Hasina to lead the movement of progressive political parties from grassroots level for establishing people's rights.

"The success of the conventions of professional bodies depends on how could we utilise the outcome and promise of the convention," the Gono Forum president said.

"This unity among progressive political parties should not be temporary and based on mere party or personal interests," the noted lawyer observed.

He said 'bad politics' has made parliament dysfunctional and damaged judiciary and administration.

"The state now resembles the collapsed garment factory in Savar," Dr Kamal said.

Mujahidul Islam Selim said pro-liberation forces are now facing threat from the anti-liberation forces and being attacked by them.

"It the government fails to protect us form the attack of anti-liberation forces, then we would build up stronger force to protect ourselves," Selim mentioned.

Hasanul Haque Inu told the convention that the BNP-led alliance wants to retain its control of the caretaker government and EC by ignoring the demand for reforms.

"The BNP-led alliance will be forced to hand over power to the caretaker government after bringing necessary reforms," the JSD leader said.

Rashed Kahan Menon said there is no alternative but to bring reforms in the caretaker government system and the EC to hold a transparent general election.

Menon said the country is now facing threat from the rapidly rising fundamentalist forces and all progressive political parties will have to unite to thwart that threat.

Chaired by Vice president of Bangladesh Bar Council and Convenor of the Peshajibi Samannoy Parishad Rokanuddin Mahmud, the convention was also addressed by President of Supreme Court Bar Council Mahbubey Alam, President of Dhaka University Teachers Association Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique and President of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury.