Dhaka, Feb 18: Bangladeshi Leader of Opposition Sheikh Hasina, who is currently leading a movement to oust the ruling government, today dismissed any talks with the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party and demanded immediate general election. Hasina also hinted at the possibility of forging a coalition government after the national elections, on the lines of the ''government of consensus'' alliance that she had constituted after winning the 1996 election.
Addressing a press conference at her Dhanmondi office, she said ''People consider us as the only alternative to govern the country and if brought back to power, we're confident of combating terrorism and corruption.'' Hasina termed as ''positive'' the outcome of her party's talks with like-minded parties including pro-left political groups, saying ''all those parties we had talked to have reached a unanimity on the point that this regime should go forthwith as it completely failed.''

Asked about the possibility of en-mass resignation from Parliament, the Awami League president said ''an appropriate decision will be taken at an appropriate time. Why should we do it alone? there are many others with us.''

Calling upon the people to drive her one-point movement to its logical end, Hasina said, ''The last bell of the government started ringing and the regime is making its last bite to cling to power by resorting to tortures on my workers.''

She claimed that more than 500 workers including women activists were injured and hundreds arrested during the last three hartals (shut down) since February 12.
Strongly condemning the Prime Minister's ''inciting words'' against Awami League and police ''atrocities'' on her workers particularly women activists, she claimed that the way police launched its brutality at the pm s instruction broken all records of savagery.

Asked about any possibility of sitting with the government, Hasina dismissed it by saying, ''it s people who would not like to see us sitting Khaleda whose hands are stained with bloods.''
Bureau Report