BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday warned of enforcing nonstop hartal and blockade of roads-railways across the country after her present programme of rallies in all the seven divisions ends in the middle of next month if the prime minister does not restore the caretaker government system by that time.

“They [government! say BNP cannot wage movement. It is true that unlike them, we cannot kill people.

But we know how to carryout movement If the caretaker or non-party administration is not restored, (you) people will blockade all roads and railways, and sit there," Khaleda said while addressing a rally at Narsinghdi Municipality Shishu Park.

"We (BNP) will follow what people of the country say. And 98 percent

of them want caretaker government and holding of the next general election under it, "she added.

Starting with the rally in Narsinghdi, the BNP chief is scheduled to address rallies in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet and Chittagong, and a grand rally in Dhaka in the third week of next month.

Amid chanting of slogans by thousands of opposition leaders, activists and supporters, the leader of the opposition in parliament said the prime minister (Sheikh Hasina) now has two options - to restore the caretaker government system or to quit power.

Khaleda went on, "Nowit is up to you | PM | to decide what you will do. Will you restore the caretaker government system or look for an escape route?"

Earlier at 1:40pm, the BNP chairperson's motorcade left her Gulshan residence for Narsinghdi. Several hundred arches, banners and festoons were seen at different points of Dhaka-Narsinghdi highway.

Yesterday's rally was oiganised by Narsinghdi unit of the BNP-led 18-party alliance. The rally caused around 15 killometer-long tailback on Dhaka-Sylhet highway, especially at Madhobdi, Sekherchar, Pachdona and Narsinghdi Sadar.

In her over-40 minutes speech, Khaleda reiterated that if elected, they (BNP-led alliance) will introduce a new trend of governance. "Wait for some more days, we will reveal the new trend in due time. Otherwise, they [government] might steal

our idea," she added.

The BNP chief said when there was no caretaker government system in the constitution, she [Hasina, then opposition leader] had waged a movement. Even she had enforced more than 170 days of hartal, demanding election under an interim government. But now she has dropped the provision from the constitution in the name of amending it.

Khaleda said even the High Court in its verdict instructed holding two more national polls under the CG system. But the government scrapped the system to retain power forever.

She continued, “Parliament must be dissolved. Before that, the government has to bring a bill in the House to restore the caretaker government system. After that all the political parties will participate in the polls".

Khaleda further said the opposition alliance will never participate in any election under the Hasina-led government or if the present parliament exists because that election will not be free and fair.

“But does it mean Hasina will stage a one-sided election? Never, we will not allow any such election to be held in the country, "she said.

"That's why I am telling let us sit for a dialogue. Although the door for dialogue has been closed with the prime minister saying the election will be held under her government. Even then we say we are ready to sit for a dialogue on restoration of caretaker government system, " the BNP chief said.