In its reaction, the alliance also alleged that the president has tried to mislead the people.

An hour after the address, the combine leaders met at AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil's Gulshan residence to discuss the latest political developments.

"He [president] is betraying the nation by helping implement Khaleda Zia's plot to rig the election," Jalil, also coordinator of the 14-party, told reporters after the meeting in the early hours today.

Likening Iajuddin's speech to that of General Yahia Khan in 1971, he said the chief adviser's speech is in fact more deceptive than the Pakistan general's.

"The president has told some blatant lies. But the people are conscious now and have certainly caught his treachery," he added.

By deploying the army for partisan gains, he has brought the armed forces in dispute, observed Jalil.