Jatiya Oikyafront today announced to hold a rally in Dhaka on Monday protesting “vote rigging” in the 11th parliamentary election held on December 30, 2018.

Oikyafront leader and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President ASM Abdur Rab came up with the announcement at a press conference at Dr Kamal Hossain’s chamber in Motijheel of Dhaka.

Earlier, Jatiya Oikyafront, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, held an emergency meeting at his office to work out the alliance’s action programmes to mark the 1st anniversary of the December 30 national polls.

The rally will be held in front of the National Press Club around 2:00pm on the day, Rab said.

Responding to a query, he added, “No permission. Why the permission is needed to hold rally in front of the press club?”

Oikyafront leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna, responding to a query, said vote rigging took place on the night on December 29 and they will hold the protest rally on that day.

“We will go for more two days programme if any barrier comes from any corner,” Manna said at the press conference.

Addressing the press conference, Kamal said they would strengthen their unity to ensure people’s voting rights and to make the country’s elections meaningful.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said a group of political parties joined hands with the BNP-Jamaat alliance to try to oust her government and push the country into an era of darkness again.

"Mr Manna, Dr Kamal Hossain, Communist Party, left leaning parties are now tagged with BNP-Jamaat alliance for forging a movement to oust the Awami League government," she said.

Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, was speaking at the opening of a weeklong programme marking the golden jubilee of Bangladesh Krishak League's founding anniversary.

The programme was held at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh while the prime minister joined it virtually.

"What is their motive behind wanting to oust the government?" – she asked. "(It is just) to deprive the people from all the facilities that are being given by the government," she said.

She said that there are some political leaders in the country who never stand by the people during any crisis, but are busy talking about movements to oust the Awami League government.

"What is Awami League government's fault? Why do they want to oust it?" she wondered.

Hasina said people voted Awami League to power in 2008 national polls in support of the party's election manifesto. 

"In that manifesto we had declared Vision 2021. I am expressing my gratitude towards the people of the country for electing us repeatedly," she said.

She also said that the government has attained the targets declared in the party's election manifestoes.

"We have promoted our country from least developed to developing, while we were celebrating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of our independence," she said.

Referring to her critics, she again wondered why they don't like Bangladesh's graduation to a developing country.

She said that the government has taken steps to change the fate of all people, including those in the grassroots.

The PM said that the government has given importance on the research on agriculture so that the country gets more positive results in food production along with other related issues.

Bangladesh Krishak League President Samir Chandra and former presidents of Krishak League Dr Mirza Abdul Jalil and Motahar Hossain Molla, former Krishak League general secretaries Mizanur Rahman and Harun Or Rashid Hawladar and current secretary Umme Kulsum also spoke at the programme.

A video documentary on Krishak League was screened at the programme.

The prime minister also unveiled 'Krishak Kantha', a publication of Krishak League.

Dhaka city dwellers are leaving the city for their home in masses ahead of the upcoming general election to be held on Sunday.

The home rush began yesterday, as the two weekends, today and tomorrow, make up an ideal three-day holiday to visit ancestral homes.

The photo was taken at Gabtoli Bus Terminal. Photo: Star/ Palash Khan

Because many of the dwellers are voters of their home districts, they must travel back to their home land to cast their ballot and exercise their franchise.

READ MORE: Festive atmosphere indeed!!

The photo was taken at Sadarghat launch terminal. Photo: Star/ Prabir Das

People were seen gathering on all the exit points of the city. Gabtoli, Kamlapur and Sadarghat were teeming with outbound people since this morning.

The photo was taken at Sadarghat launch terminal. Photo: Star/ Prabir Das

The home-goers are expecting to enjoy happy times with their near and dear ones along with exercising their democratic rights to vote.

The photo was taken at Airport Railway Station. Photo: Star/ Palash Khan