"It is a recognised democratic norm to seek fresh mandate when a government loses confidence of the majority of people and for this, the present government has to resign to make way for an immediate election," said Hasina, also president of main opposition Awami League (AL) and former prime minister.

The general election scheduled by January 2007.

"People want freedom from this failed government as they are grappling with crime, corruption, price hikes of essentials and an acute sense of insecurity," she said in an address to the elite at Pan-Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on the occasion of the alliance government's three years in office.

Political leaders, academics, bureaucrats and diplomats attended the function. The AL and other mainstream opposition parties observed the day as a "Black Day" for the nation.

Hasina urged all to reach a national consensus to put an end to 'the misrule of the alliance government' and build a modern, secular and democratic Bangladesh.

She promised people that if voted to office, her government would not try to settle scores with political opponents.

"People of the country want elimination of conflicts and political vengeance," she said. "The Awami League does not believe in taking revenge on political opponents and we will stick to this policy in spite of endless repression of its leaders and workers," she said.

The opposition leader painted a detailed picture of what she said were misdeeds of the 36-month Khaleda administration, including the slide in law and order, price hikes of essentials, lack of public safety, unabated corruption, existence of religious militant groups, nepotism and politicisation and persecution of political opponents.

Hasina alleged that the government has unleashed 'state terrorism' for political ends, as it has been killing the prospective leaders of the main opposition, sensing its defeat in the coming polls.

The former prime minister also touched on issues including her party stance on joining parliament, major bomb blasts and arms hauls, custodial deaths, and successes of the previous AL government.

Hasina accused the government of not investigating the grisly grenade attack on a rally of her party on Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21. The evidence has been destroyed and the perpetrators are being protected.

Turning to next elections, Hasina said the level of failure and misrule of the government is so pronounced that the ruling coalition is 'trying to come to power by circumventing people's mandate' through 'election engineering'.

She said a reformed and flawless electoral system is required to protect democracy and constitution so as to ensure people's right to choose the government they wish.

The BNP-Jamaat government has failed to provide security to people and instead, it itself has become a threat to people's life and property, Hasina said.

"The crisis is so horrific that foreign envoys are becoming victims of grenade attacks, while representatives of donors have to flee the country in fear of their lives."

Militancy of the religious extremists has tainted the secular image of the country, she added.

Speaking on their boycott of parliament, Hasina said the AL lawmakers were not allowed to voice their opinion in parliament and the rejection of 2,413 opposition notices and the prime minister's refusal to answer to 921 opposition questions testify to the ruling coalition's attitude.

"Even the sensitive topic of August 21 grenade attack and the carnage that was a concern of every citizen of the country regardless of political affiliations was not allowed to be discussed in parliament," she mentioned.

Giving a detailed picture of the price hike of essentials, Hasina said cost of living has shot up 80 percent in three years under the alliance rule.

She claimed that corruption has been institutionalised in the last three years. "Bribes and commissions for Hawa Bhaban play a regular role in each development project, international tender and transaction."

On foreign policy, the opposition chief said, "Bangladesh has been blacklisted because of terrorist activities. In the eyes of international community, Bangladesh is a country synonymous with human-rights violations."

"The Muslim world has rejected the nomination of a war criminal and smuggler for the post of OIC secretary-general. Bangladesh is losing friends every day," she noted in the speech.

Making a set of promises, she said, "We want to build a secure Bangladesh for people in the backdrop of horrific slide in law and order".

"People don't want Bangladesh to be a safe home for religious militants. We, like the citizens, want to see Bangladesh as a bright example of communal harmony," she added.

Hasina said they want to build up a nation for future generations where merit, not political obedience, would be the benchmark.

"We want to rescue the judiciary, the last resort for the oppressed, from destruction and ensure its independence," she said.

The opposition leader pledged to keep the armed forces above politics and make them professional and modern.

Full text of Hasina's speech Dear countrymen, I have come before you at a time when our beloved country is held hostage by terror, corruption, rising prices, poverty and acute insecurity and 14 million people are helpless