Unite against govt misrule: Hasina

"Life under the four-party alliance rule has become miserable because of widespread corruption," she said at a rally organised by the city unit of the AL at Mirpur.

Hasina said, "Though the present rulers came to power pledging to root out violence, they are now the main sponsors of countrywide criminal activities." She blamed Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for patronising killers.

Hasina alleged that the government has prepared a hitlist of the opposition leaders including herself.

"I am ready to face any consequence for protesting the misrule of the present government," Hasina said.

She observed that the government was executing its plan of targeting the opposition forces, particularly the AL.

The alliance government is responsible for a battered public life, she said referring to the price hike of essentials.

Hasina blamed the ruling coalition men for attacking lawyers on the premises of the Dhaka district court and said the government is destroying the judicial system like other sectors.

The opposition leader was critical of the Jamaat-e-Islami ministers in the cabinet and said a Jamaat minister, who had destroyed the country's agriculture sector, now heads the industries ministry.

The former prime minister said all the development works that were initiated during the previous AL rule have been halted. "The present government has not initiated any new development project," she added.

Presided over by Kamal Ahmed Majumder, the rally was addressed by AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil, Joint Secretary Obaidul Kader, City AL President Mohammad Hanif and its General Secretary Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya.

Hundreds of leaders and supporters of the AL and its front organisations of Mirpur, Pallabi and Kafrul thana units joined the rally chanting slogans against the government and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Prior to joining the programme, Hasina visited the residence of Samad Khan, a Jubo League leader, who was killed on August 11.