Govt pushing country towards conflict

In a statement, she said: "The people are now united for putting an end to the misrule of the anti-liberation alliance."

Hasina, also Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, called upon the alliance government to accept the 14-party combine's proposal to reform the Election Commission and the caretaker government system. "It will not be possible to gag the people's voice by resorting to firing, baton charge, teargas and arrest," she said.

Hasina strongly condemned and protested the police torture on and arrest of the opposition leaders and workers during the hartal hours. The BNP-Jamaat government has chosen the path of repression and arrest to stay in power, she said.

The AL chief demanded immediate and unconditional release of the arrested leaders and activists.

She called upon the people of all strata to play courageous role to make a success of all the programmes announced by the 14-party combine, including hartal on Sunday.