Speakers yesterday called on the countrymen to forge unity to compel the caretaker government to stick to its stance of combating corruption by trying the corrupt people as the government is now retreating from its early stance and trying to implement the 'manage two formula'.

They said this at the inaugural session of the 9th National Congress of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) in the city.

With playing the national anthem and hoisting the national and party flags, the three-day congress was inaugurated at Mahanagar Natya Mancha.

The functioning of the congress began observing one-minute silence for those killed in the democratic movements of the country, accidents and natural disasters.

The speakers said the government retreating from its earlier stance has formed the truth commission in a bid to release corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen.

CPB General Secretary Muja-hidul Islam Selim demanded introduction of rationing system amid the ongoing price hike, lifting restrictions on trade unions, withdrawal of emergency rules and handing over power to an elected government through a free, fair and credible election.

Presided over by CPB President Manjurul Ahsan Khan, the congress was addressed by General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim, representative of Communist Party of India Manzu Majumdar, National Secretary of All India Forward Block Barun Majumder, representative Shyamal Chakraborty of Indian

Marxist Communist Party (CPIM), representative Sayed Mazhar Haider of Communist Party of Pakistan, representative Luxshman Di Silva of Communist Party of Sri Lanka, North Korean Ambassador Mun Sang Mo and official Zhang Zhizong of Chinese embassy.

Bangladesh Awami League presidium member Amir Hossen Amu, Jana Sanghati Samity President Santu Larma, Workers' Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon, comrade Hena Das, Samyabadi Dal leader Dilip Barua and leaders of leftleaning political parties took part in the congress while Prof MM Akash read out Bangla translation of the addresses by foreign delegates.

Communist parties of different countries across the world have sent messages on the occasion of the national congress of CPB.