"...They (government) has set garments factories ablaze to create anarchy in the sector and blame it on the Awami League (AL)," said Hasina, also president of the AL.

She was speaking at a discussion titled "Free, Fair and Neutral Election: Prerequisite for Peoples' Empowerment," organised by Peshajibi Samonnay Parishad, a platform of professionals. Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud chaired the discussion at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.

Eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain presented a paper on 'For empowerment through free, fair and credible elections' at the discussion.

"The problems between garment factory owners and workers was resolvable but the incumbent government did not take any steps to do that. I think they have an ill motive behind this," Hasina said.

Referring to a neighbouring country's alleged conspiracy to create anarchy in Bangladesh's RMG sector, Hasina asked the prime minister to explain how it can do so by motivating hundreds of workers in the sovereign and independent country.

The AL chief asked why police killed garment workers. She also wanted to know why police and Rab kept silent when, she said, people in black trousers and T-shirts torched many garments factories in the last couple of days.

Hasina called upon the garments owners to give their workers higher wages and pay that regularly. The workers have to realise their legitimate rights through movements, she added.

The former prime minister said this government has completely failed to run the country, and it must step down to solve the ongoing crises.

The AL chief reiterated that the coalition rulers have planned to come back to power through election engineering, and for this it has made a 'fake' voter list.

The AL president thanked the lawyers as the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday upheld the High Court directives for a revised voter list. She asked the chief election commissioner if he would resign after the SC verdict or if he wants the people to resort to alternative ways to make him step down.

Hasina urged the professional bodies and people of all walks of life to force the government to implement the opposition's reform proposals to ensure a free and fair election.

Other speakers included AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil, Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu, Communist Party of Bangladesh President Manjurl Ahsan Khan, SC Bar Association President Amir-Ul-Islam, economist Dr Abul Baraqat and Barrister Tania Amir.

Dr Kamal Hossain, also president of Gano Forum, put forward some suggestions to ensure a free, fair and credible election to end the influence of black money and armed cadres, their godfathers and militants.

He proposed that candidates in elections must submit with their nomination papers statements of their assets, annual income and its sources as well as those of their relatives.

To prevent fake or false votes, he suggested use of transparent ballot box, issuance of voter identity card and display of voter list at public places or its preservation in computers.

The eminent jurist also suggested mandatory registration of political parties and submission of the parties' audited financial statements to the Election Commission.