"The BNP-Jamaat-led four-party alliance government is planning to export gas, the country's most valuable natural resources," Hasina said.

Addressing a rally at Paltan Maidan, organised by the Dhaka city unit of the AL as part of its month-long programme demanding execution of the verdict on the Bangabandhu assassination case, she said the export would lead to corruption by the ruling alliance.

The AL called a country-wide dawn-to-dusk hartal for September 25 for the ouster of the government for what it said its failure to run the government. The AL will also march in the city on September 15.

"When the country's industries are suffering from acute gas crisis, the present government is conspiring to sell gas abroad as it came to power signing a bond to this end," she alleged.

"Through proper utilisation of natural gas resources, we can eradicate poverty."

Hasina urged all pro-liberation forces to join hands against the 'misrule and misdeeds' of the government and build a strong movement for its immediate ouster.

The former prime minister accused the government of patronising communal militants to eliminate the forces who believe in Bangladesh's independence, especially the AL leaders and adherents.

Hasina was critical of the role of Jamaat-e-Islami ministers in the cabinet, saying: "A Jamaat minister, who had ruined the country's agriculture sector, now heads the industries ministry to destroy it."

Life under the coalition rule has become miserable because of widespread corruption and violence sponsored by the ruling party men, she alleged.

Referring to the recent killings of Khulna city AL chief Monzurul Imam and some other opposition leaders, Hasina asked the government to stop such 'killings, persecution and harassment'.

"About 24,000 leaders and workers of the Awami League have so far been killed under the alliance rule."

She said abduction of businessmen and schoolchildren emerged as a regular feature, exposing a serious law and order tumble.

Hasina bitterly criticised the government policy of closing down industries, making thousands of employees jobless.

"We don't want any more lay-off of industries," she said.

Accusing the government of politicising the administration, she said government employees are now being promoted on the basis of their political beliefs.

The leader of the opposition accused the prime minister of corruption, saying she and her sons amassed crores of taka in only 22 months into power.

The AL chief said the government did not want execution of the verdict on the assassination of Bangabandhu, as its leaders were beneficiaries of the August 15, 1975 bloodbath.

Chaired by Dhaka city AL President Mohammad Hanif, the rally was also addressed by party leaders Mohammad Nasim, Obaidul Kader, Mukul Bose, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Abdul Mannan, Abdur Rahman, Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin and Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya. Senior party leaders were present at the rally.

Earlier, leaders of the AL and its front organisations converged on the Paltan Maidan in processions from different parts of the city.