DHAKA: Opposition BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia announced that the opposition parties would enforce hartal from October 27 to 29 if the government does not go for dialogue over polls-time government.

She came up with the announcement while addressing 18-party alliance rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Friday afternoon.

Khaleda Zia reiterated, "We want non-party government for holding the general election. We placed our proposal joining Parliament session as per your request. But you (govt) lack good intension. You don`t want to reach consensus in this connection."

Free, fair and impartial election is a must under a neutral government, she also said.

She categorically said that incumbent government was afraid of people as they feared to give us permission for rally.

Khaleda Zia said, “The government gave us permission lately as they are afraid of people although they claimed themselves people`s government.”

"It is Awami League government, which is working for Awami League only, not for the people," she added.

Terming the government "illegal", the former Prime Minister urged the government officials including law enforcing agencies not to follow directives of the government from now on.

Regarding BDR case, she said the ruling Awami League rather involved in the mutiny not the opposition people including Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu.

Earlier, Khaleda Zia took her seat at the stage of the rally at 4:00pm. She is set to deliver speech there.

Thousands of leaders and activists of the alliance thronged the venue from the morning ignoring drizzling.

They were seen carrying banners, festoons and chanting ant-government slogans.

The alliance was staging the rally to press their demand from caretaker government.

BDST: 1648 HRS, OCT 25, 2013
AKA/MZR