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Amid the ongoing efforts to reach a consensus among political parties ahead of the national elections, major Islamist political parties on Wednesday held simultaneous rallies to press home their demands including holding of the next national elections under the PR system.
Urging the interim government to ensure a level-playing field, they alleged that a 'major political party' was attempting to destroy neutral conditions ahead of the elections.
Some of them also demanded banning Jatiya Party and allies of the fallen Bangladesh Awami League.
As part of their simultaneous three-day movement, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held a rally in front of the Baitul Mukarram in the city.
After the rally, the party held a procession on the key city roads including Gulistan and Paltan, which created huge traffic congestions, thus causing immense suffering to the dwellers.
Addressing the rally, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said his party is working in favour of holding the next general elections in a fair and transparent manner.
"But one party is repeatedly creating obstacles to providing a legal and constitutional basis for the July Charter," he alleged.
He demanded the July Charter be implemented through a constitutional order and also a referendum before the elections. Otherwise, the country will fall into a great disaster, he warned.
The Jamaat leader said: "If the people do not support the PR in the referendum, we will accept it."
He went on: "But why are you afraid of the referendum?"
The Khilafat Majlis held a separate rally at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram.
Addressing the rally, the party's Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmed warned that they would not return home until the July Charter is implemented.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Islami Andolon held another protest march from the North Gate of Baitul Mukarram.
Before that, the party's Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Faizul Karim in a brief rally said if the election is held under the PR system, no one will be able to become a dictator again.
He said under the PR system no fascist will be created again and there will be no opportunity to steal votes.
Several organisations including the Khilafat Majlis, Khilafat Andolan, Nezame Islam Party also held rallies on the day and protests in front of the Press Club and in Bijoynagar with similar demands.
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