The 14-party opposition will announce the ultimatum tomorrow from a joint press conference, asking BNP to axe Jamaat-e-Islami and other militant elements from the ruling alliance, sources said.

The decision was taken yesterday at a meeting of the 14-party alliance, comprising main opposition Awami League (AL), 11-Party alliance, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) and National Awami Party (NAP), at the residence of AL leader Abdur Razzak.

The opposition will set November 15 as deadline for expelling the militant-linked parties from the coalition, meeting sources said.

"We will ask the BNP to oust Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and other elements whose involvement in militant activities is now crystal clear," said an AL leader after the meeting.

The meeting also agreed to form a liaison committee to co-ordinate the ongoing antigovernment movement. The committee will be formed at the next meeting of the opposition on October 9 at the residence of AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil.

The meeting discussed the opposition plan to hold a grand rally at the Paltan Maidan on November 15 where AL chief Sheikh Hasina and other top opposition leaders will address for the first time from a common podium.

From the rally the opposition will a1so announce common national programmes which will be implemented if they are voted to power in the next election, said an opposition leader.