The BNP-Jamaat led coalition government steps into the final year of their five-year term today. The four-party alliance observes the day as their success in office while the mainstream opposition parties will observe it as a black day saying misrule and misdeeds mark the regime.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will address the nation this evening at 6:30pm on her government's four years in office. Bangladesh Television (BTV), Bangladesh Betar and satellite television channels will air the Prime Minister's address simultaneously. Khaleda is expected to describe her government's success in different sectors during the past four years.

The Leader of the Opposition and Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina will also address the nation at 3:30pm at the city's Institute of Diploma Engineers Hall. Hasina will highlight the failures of the present government and may urge people to force the government to step down.

The BNP-led alliance formed the government on October 10, 2001 following a landslide victory in the general election of October 1.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) will bring out a procession from city's Noor Hossain Square to observe the fourth anniversary of the coalition rule as a black day for the nation. The JSD will also hold a rally in front of its party office. Similar programmes will be organised across the country, a JSD press release said yesterday.

Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD), in a press release yesterday, said the party will observe the day as a black episode for the nation marked by rise of extremist groups under the direct patronisation of the ruling alliance leaders, price spiral of essentials and deteriorating law and order.

Swadhinota Forum will hold a discussion on the four-year alliance rule and its success and failures at the Jatiya Press Club lounge today at 3:00pm. Forum president Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah will chair the discussion where Law Minister Moudud Ahmed, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdullah al Noman, AL presidium member Suranjit Sengupta, Jatiya Party (Ershad) leader Kazi Firoj Rashid and Jatiya Party (Manju) leader Sheikh Shahidul Islam are expected to speak.

President Iajuddin Ahmed in a message yesterday said the alliance government has taken initiatives for development in all the sectors including education, health, industries, environment, law and order, poverty reduction and social security as per its electoral pledges.

"People are now enjoying the success of these initiatives," the message said.

The president said the roles of the ruling and the opposition parties are very important in the parliamentary system. Describing parliament as the centre of the system, he hoped all concerned would be more careful about discussing national issues in the House to make the parliamentary system more dynamic and lively.

In her message Prime Minister Khaleda Zia greeted the people on the eve of her government's four years in office. She said her government worked for the people and hoped the ongoing development will accelerate in the rest of the five-year term.