Bangladesh's main opposition said on Saturday it would step up its drive to oust the government unless the prime minister took action to tackle crime and stop political persecution within the next month.
Addressing a huge rally in Dhaka, Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina told thousands of cheering supporters "a campaign to push the government plagued by crime and corruption has just begun".
"Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia must tackle crime, stop persecution of political rivals and improve law and order within February 10 to assert her right to stay in office.
"If she fails, we will unveil harsher plans to oust her regime, probably with a countrywide general strike on February 12," said Hasina, a former prime minister.
A general strike called by the Awamis, who want to force an early general election, largely halted transport and business last Saturday and there were violent protests in the capital.
The walkout was called to protest at alleged persecution of Awami members by the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) - a charge the BNP denies.
Speaking on Friday, Khaleda said the Awami League "had no power to force her out" with only 58 seats in the 300-member parliament. She said Hasina should wait until the next election - due in October 2006 - to test her.
Hasina lost to Khaleda in a 2001 election.
The Awami legislators have boycotted parliament since last June, saying they had been refused enough time to speak, a charge denied by the BNP and Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar.
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