"As investigations are on into the incident, I won't name any one. But, I do know for certain that there was a plot, which is still being nursed," she told a discussion meeting organised at Mohanagar Natya Mancha to mark the 26th founding anniversary of BNP, with its Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan in the chair.

Khaleda said her government's success in various sectors made a particular quarter very jealous, who started to scheme to unseat the coalition government as well as halt the inflow of foreign investment, which has been increasing day by day.

Without spelling out the names but making oblique reference to leaders of the main opposition, the BNP chairperson blamed them for the grisly grenade attack, which she alleged was aimed at diverting the masses' attention from her government's successes that, according to her, made them worried about their future.

The recent bomb blasts in different parts of the country were also made in a bid to scare off foreign investors, the PM added.

Claiming that her government successfully managed the devastating floods and then launched massive post-flood rehabilitation programme, Khaleda said they [implying Awami League leaders], in sharp contrast, did nothing to help the flood-hit people. Instead they hoped for the government's failure to address the flood crisis and thus to get a chance to use it as an issue to launch an anti-government movement, she added.

Khaleda emphatically said the coalition government was firmly against all crimes and terrorism, saying, "We want elimination of terrorism both at home and across the globe."

She said there is not and never will be any alternative to the BNP as a patriotic party and called upon her party leaders and workers to unite and build up strength to foil all conspiracies against the country, its people and the party.

The PM thanked BNP members and people for making the August 30 countrywide protest rallies a success, noting, "The grand success of the rallies proved again that people are very much with the BNP and ready to thwart any conspiracy."

Bhuiyan said BNP is never afraid of any intrigue, because it has mass support.

Health Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the AL demanded resignation of the government after the August 21 grenade attack because it does not want punishment of the attackers. "It just wants to launch an anti-government movement cashing in on the incident," he added.

Law Minister Moudud Ahmed said a certain quarter initiated a massive anti-Bangladesh campaign immediately after the 2001 general elections, trying to portrait Bangladesh as a terrorist country, adding, "I think the August 21 incident is a part of that campaign."

Environment Minister Tariqul Islam said a deep-rooted conspiracy is on against the country's nationalist forces and stressed the need for frustrating the plot by expanding and strengthening the BNP's network down to grassroots level.

Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain, Housing Minister Mirza Abbas, DCC Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, BNP leader KM Obaidur Rahman and News Today Editor Reazuddin Ahmed also spoke.