Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher today reiterated the demand for issuing an order to implement the July Charter and holding a referendum before the national election.

Warning the government, he said, "If the ghee doesn't come out with a straight finger, we'll bend it. But we'll have the ghee anyway. So, take the hint. No hanky-panky-- there must be a referendum before the national election."

Taher made the remarks at a rally at Paltan intersection in Dhaka around noon ahead of a mass procession organised to submit a memorandum to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

Addressing the government, he said, "We understand your tricks. We'll discover ways to achieve our demands based on those tricks. We're still on the democratic path of movement."

Eight like-minded parties, including Jamaat and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, which have been waging a simultaneous movement with five-point demands, organised the programme to submit a memorandum to the chief adviser. Around 11:00am, leaders and activists of these parties gathered at Paltan intersection in separate processions.

After a brief rally, the party leaders and activists started their march towards the chief adviser's residence, Jamuna, around 12:00pm.

However, while delivering speech at the rally, Taher also said, "Even after the election schedule is announced, there's no legal barrier to holding a referendum. Any delay in this regard will put the interim government in danger.

He said, "Some say holding a referendum would cost a lot. But the amount of extortion that takes place in Bangladesh in a single day could fund a referendum. So, money won't be an issue."

Taher said Jamaat has called upon political parties to sit for dialogue, adding, "Jamaat wants elections, solutions, peace, and implementation of the July Charter. The government has also urged the parties to sit for talks, but it must play an active role in this regard.

"Jamaat has already formed a committee to hold talks with other political parties. We call upon other parties to form their own committees so that the dialogue can begin immediately. There must be no delay."

Taher claimed he tried to contact BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir this morning for this purpose but could not reach him.

"After the procession, I'll call him again to request BNP to take part in the dialogue," he added.

The Jamaat leader said, "The nation expects the major political parties to sit together not only to discuss the July Charter but also to determine how the next election will be held. They must reach a consensus that there will be no vote rigging. They should publicly pledge on television that no polling centre will be captured. If any party does so, votes from that centre must be cancelled. The chief adviser should also declare that if the election is not free and fair, it will be annulled and re-held. The people of this country will not accept another farcical election."

He also urged the Election Commission and the government to ensure a level playing field for all parties.

"A memorandum will be submitted to the chief adviser. If there's still no progress, Dhaka will turn into the city of the people on November 11," he warned.

At the rally, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Joint Secretary General and spokesperson Gazi Ataur Rahman said, "Whenever the election takes place, the referendum must be held beforehand. Even if the election is deferred, the referendum must come first. There will be no talks with those who say reforms aren't necessary."