The BNP is ready to go to any lengths to forge a greater national unity against the ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance ahead of the December election.

"We can't form a greater unity unless we make sacrifices. We must reach a consensus and we are working to this end," Fakhrul told a programme at the party's Nayapaltan office in Dhaka.

"We, all the opposition parties, have to realise the need for that unity to get out of the prevailing situation."

The BNP leader said they would defeat the current "monstrous government" through forming a coalition with other political parties.

Fakhrul also blamed the 14-party alliance for creating a "vacuum" in the country and that ousting the "autocratic" government would require a popular movement.

The government has become desperate sensing its imminent fall, he claimed. "But this government will not be able to cling to power as people are not with it. People have no confidence in it. So our victory is certain." BNP is working to expand the 20-party alliance, which includes Jamaat, before the election schedule expected in weeks.

"Before going to jail, our Chairperson Khaleda Zia has called for a greater national unity and we are heading towards that goal. We believe that we will be successful," Fakhrul said.

He claimed that the government became politically bankrupt and it was now looking for an exit route as it had no place in people's mind.

The BNP leader also criticised the government for holding a trial against Khaleda inside the Old Dhaka Central Jail.

It is unconstitutional and an inhuman act of the government, he said. "The trial can't be held in

such a small room in the jail. This is nothing but a camera trial indeed."

Fakhrul urged the government to free Khaleda and allow her to receive treatment in a specialised hospital as she was "very sick".

Just to hang onto power, the government is filing many "false cases" only to suppress BNP leaders and activists, he alleged.

"The government has created a helllike situation across the country by filing false cases. The country is now in the grip of a dangerous devil. We will have to defeat it together with the people, "he said.

Mentioning that the country was going through a serious crisis, Fakhrul called on freedom fighters to unite to save the nation and reestablish people's lost rights.