Awami League ChlefShelkh Hasina yesterday htt .out at those trying to harm her party by dividing the pro-liberation forces.

In an oblique reference to a current move by Dr Kamal Hussain and several 'likeminded' parties like “the CPB (reformists), NAP and the Ganatantri Party to float a new party — which they hope would emerge as a third forum In the country's politics — Sheikh Hasina said, "This was all part of a conspiracy.'

The Awami League chief warned that this so-called third force' will only strengthen the hands of the forces opposed to

Independence and democracy.

She was addressing a group of some 5000 local leaders and workers of different political parties as well a social activists from Bakerganj thana, led by Syed Masud Reza, a freedom fighter and Industrialist, who formally joined the Awami League yesterday.

The Opposition leader tn Parliament said the AL had faced all conspiracies against It in the past and was ready to undo such intrigues along with its pro-liberation allies.

The AL lender also called for a greater unity of those who desired the rule of law and Independence of the Judiciary, Including repeal of all black laws and the Indemnity Act. as well as elimination of poverty and hunger from the country.

Welcoming the new-comers to her party, Hasina told them "You have taken the right decision at the right time when the nation is experiencing a crucial time'.

She also invited other pro-liberation and pro-democratic groups and individuals to rally round her party to expedite the process of the AL's struggle to consolidate democracy and national sovereignty and to achieve a self-reliant economy.

The freshers, from Bakerganj thana, earlier thronged the Minto Road residence of Hasina. They include workers of the BNP. the Jatiya Party, the present and former Chairmen of local Union Parishads and some social workers. ,

A coterie of corrupt persons was exploiting the nation and remained active against the AL all through, she said.

" This group never wished the AL to be tn power because it knows very well that the party won't allow the existence of any exploiter In society." she remarked.

The AL's recently announced new economic policy provided for clear-cut steps to remove poverty, ensure social Justice and education and medical service for all. Hasina pointed out.

On the other hand, she viewed, each and every step of the BNP government was antipeople and conspiratorial. This "neo-autocratlc" government was only protecting the Interests of a handful of vested groups and depriving the common men of their legitimate rights, she charged.

Painting a gloomy picture of the country's socio-economic condition, the opposition leader accused the government of Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia of ignoring the causes of the

downtrodden. including the peasants.

"The farmers are being deprived of Just prices for their produce, the price of fertiliser has increased four-fold, and industrial workers were being retrenched indiscriminately resulting in growing unemployment" Hasina said.

"All these are results of the BNP government's misrule. Its inefficiency and inexperience to govern the nation, " commented the AI. leader, who also reiterated allegations of corruotlon against the government leaders.

In a bid to cover up its failures and misdeeds, Hasina alleged. the BNP government was recruiting the ruling party activists in the administration through nepotism on the one hand and repressing its political opponents, especially Awami Leaguers by misusing the AntiTerrorism Act on the other.

The AL chief called for observing the country-wide halfday hartal on August 15 and making the planned grand rally at Manik Miah Avenue in the city on August 20 a grand success.