"Sensing that the judgement of the court would go against President Iajuddin Ahmed, the chief justice (CJ) postponed the hearing of the writ petition on president's taking over as chief adviser (CA)," said 14-party coordinator Abdul Jalil at a press briefing at AL's Dhanmondi office in the capital.

The decision of the chief justice to postpone the hearing of one of the petitions when the court was going to deliver judgement is against the rule of law and all customs and traditions of the past, he said.

By turning the attorney general's office into a party office, the BNP-Jamaat coalition not only influenced the judgement of the highest court but also resorted to anarchic activities outside the court premises by hiring criminals, he alleged.

Jalil, also AL general secretary, said they would withdraw the countrywide non-stop blockade programme scheduled to start from Sunday if Iajuddin resigns from the post of chief adviser and appoint a non-partisan person there.

Calling for creating a congenial atmosphere for a free and fair election, Jalil reiterated its ultimatum that they would restart the blockade from Sunday if by that time their demands are not fulfilled.

Branding the President/CA as the main barrier to holding a free and fair election, Jalil said only Iajuddin can save the country from conflicts, instability and uncertainty by resigning from the CA post.

"We want to participate in the election in a festive mood and are ready to accept the challenge if the caretaker government does not assist the BNP-Jamaat coalition in election engineering," the AL leader said.

The alliance rejected Prof Yunus' theory of coalition government terming it unconstitutional and undemocratic.

Levelling allegation of violating constitution against the CJ, the Supreme Court Bar Association Vice Chairman Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud demanded his immediate resignation and said they would reject the CJ both professionally and socially.

"We have directed all bar associations across the country to reject the chief justice as he has violated the constitution," Mahmud said adding that they would not also participate in any professional activities in the Supreme Court if the CJ remains in the office.

Accusing the Attorney General (AG) of partisan activities in favour of the BNP-Jamaat coalition, he reiterated the demand for immediate removal of all the politically appointed officials relating to the rule including the AG.

Among others, alliance leaders Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir, Obaidul Quader, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Haque Inu, Akhtaruzzaman, Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed, Nurul Islam and Dilip Barua were present at the press briefing.