The move to form an anti-government alliance by AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and Dr Kamal Hossain does not aim to install democracy but conspiracy, according to leaders of the Awami League-led 14-party Alliance.

“Those who have rallied behind Dr Kamal Hossain are conspirators, who are on to foil the elections,” Workers’ Party of Bangladesh chief Rashed Khan Menon told a rally of the coalition on Saturday.

“These people were advisers to the military-backed regime. They had advocated the ‘minus two’ theory and now they have gathered for what they say to restore democracy,” he said.

Saturday’s rally was meant to unite the people against the conspirators, said Menon, a Cabinet member in the Sheikh Hasina administration.

Former minister and Samyabadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua echoed. “They have gathered to plot against democracy

The ruling party-led coalition organised the rally protesting what it said “BNP’s spontaneous falsehood and conspiracy” ahead of the upcoming general elections.

Leaders and activists of Awami League, its different front and associate bodies and its alliance partners from different parts of the capital attended the programme.

They formed processions carrying banners, placards and festoons and chanting slogans in favour of the government as they joined the programme.

Urging the people to prevent any kind of attempts to unleash violence in the name of a political movement, senior Awami League leader Amir Hossain Amu, said that the democratic process will continue through the election under the Hasina-led government.

Describing Kamal Hossain and B Chowdhury as ‘leaders who tend to escape’, Awami League Presidium member and Minister Matia Chowdhury said, “They have been joined with another fugitive leader Tarique Rahman and they promise to restore democracy!”

From the rally, the ruling Awami League-led coalition announced to hold nationwide rallies in October.

 “Grand rallies have been scheduled for Oct 9 in Rajshahi, the next day in Natore and in Khulna Oct 13. A similar rally will be held in Dhaka any time the same month,” the Alliance’s spokesperson and senior Awami League leader Mohammad Nasim told the rally.