Pro-BNP Bangladesh Mukt-ijoddha Sangsad, Chittagong chapter (north and south command), under the banner of Muktijuddher Bijoy Utsab Udjapan Parishad (Liberation War victory celebration committee) announced a 21-day long Bijoy Utsab (victory festival) on Chittagong Outer Stadium premises from December 5.

Meanwhile, the AL and some left leaning parties under the banner of Muktijuddher Bijoy Mela Parishad (Liberation War victory fair committee) announced a 10-day long Bijoy Mela (victory fair) at the same venue from December 7.

Mela Parishad Chairman and Chittagong City Corporation Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury in a press conference at local press club Monday evening said, "We will hold the fair at any cost."

Mohiuddin, also the AL general secretary of Chittagong city unit, vowed to inaugurate the fair by lighting symbolic 'victory flame'.

"If inauguration of the fair is hindered anyway, we would call a hartal in the port city on December 8," he warned.

Abul Hashem, Mela Parishad secretary general, said they had submitted applications a month ago to Chittagong Cantonment Authority, Chittagong deputy commissioner and Chittagong Jila Krira Sangstha (CJKS) president to hold the fair.

But authorities allowed Utsab Parishad to organise their programmes, he alleged.

Utsab Parishad leaders in a joint statement Monday evening said they took permission from liberation war affairs ministry, district administration, the Army Headquarters and the CJKS to hold a 21-day festival.

General Secretary of BNP's city unit Dastagir Chowdhury, Abul Kalam Azad and Shahabuddin Ahmed Chowdhury were the signatories for the pro-BNP organising committee.

They alleged some AL leaders politicised the main Victory Day programme in Chittagong in 1989 and misappropriated funds for holding the fair.

"We will spend proceeds of the festival for the welfare of distressed freedom fighters," they added.

They also announced to hold a press briefing at local press club auditorium today on the eve of the Victory Day festival.