The people long to see a democratic environment followed by a free and fair election and their patience is wearing thin with every passing day, she observed.

Speaking to reporters at her Sudha Sadan residence in Dhanmondi last night, the former prime minister demanded immediate release of the AL leaders.

She said, "The public want a relief from this suffocating situation."

The real corrupts might break free if the government does not stop what she said was political harassment.

Life is always good when democracy and good governance are in place, said Hasina, adding that the countrymen were better-off during her regime as they did not have to face power crisis and price hike of essentials.

She said the government has arrested Jalil despite his wanting to help them over the reforms issue. Besides, she added, he has been ill.

The AL chief continued, "They might even arrest and beat me tomorrow for my talking [to the press] now. They don't see any violation of law in meeting at a Chinese restaurant to form a new political party.

"We campaigned against crime and corruption, and the plot to rig election by the four-party alliance. The present caretaker government is the result of our movement but ironically the sword is now pointed at us."

She said the Election Commission (EC) and the chief adviser must answer what they have done for reforms in the last four and a half months. Why the voter list has not yet been updated when the Supreme Court has ordered [the EC] to do exactly so.

Hasina said she wants to know where the country is in fact heading for.

"They have arrested the general secretary of an organisation like Awami League. Is it a crime that he has written to the embassies?" she questioned.

She said she wonders why the government does not look for those who had amassed a fortune and become owners of TV channels overnight during the alliance rule.

She added that they too were in power but none of their leaders or relations had been involved in such crooked activities.

Urging the military-backed government to arrest those who are really corrupt, she said, "The administration has no control over the prices of essentials, and how come we say the law and order has improved when an army colonel's son gets killed in broad daylight."

Among others, AL Presidium Member Motia Chowdhury, former lawmaker Rahmat Ullah, Col (retired) Farukh Khan, Major General (retired) Subid Ali Bhuiyan were present.