"The government considered the people as its opponent and took repressive measures to cling to power by resorting to mass arrests," said Jalil who predicted to force the government to resign through a mass upsurge by April 30.

The AL leader was addressing a rally in front of the party central office at Bangabandhu Avenue.

Dhaka City unit of AL organised the rally to protest the mass arrests and demand the release of all arrested persons by the police in run up to an AL-set deadline for the fall of the government.

Jalil urged the party workers and the people in general to gear up the ongoing agitation in a bid to topple the government in the shortest possible time to pave the way for snap polls.

AL leader Zillur Rahman said the government lost its confidence in the people and depended on the police to continue its repressive rule.

Terming the government after April 30 as "clinically dead", he said they cannot escape their imminent fall.

He said by responding to April 30 deadline, the people have shown that they don't want the alliance government anymore.

AL leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Tofael Ahmed, Mukul Bose, Abdul Mannan, Abdur Rahman, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Jubo League Chairman Jahangir Kabir Nanok also addressed the rally chaired by Mohammad Hanif.