"The upcoming elections will decide whether independence and sovereignty of the nation will be protected and the pace of development maintained," she said urging the people to take a correct decision in the elections in 2007.

Addressing a public meeting at Akbar Ali Government College ground, the prime minister accused the opposition of creating chaos and unrest at the "instructions of their guardians" to turn the country into a satellite state and a monopoly market of others.

"They are not joining parliament, they are conspiring to cripple the economy and push the nation backward at the directives of their masters and with the help of hirelings," she said.

Criticising the planned movement of the Awami League (AL)-led 14-party combine, the prime minister said they (AL) may create anarchy with the help of their allies but will not be able to assume power and fulfil the aspirations of the people.

"They had given several ultimatums to the present elected government and demanded its resignation, but people did not respond to their movement," Khaleda said, adding: "When people are living in peace, a particular party lives in unhappiness."

On the opposition's reform proposals about caretaker government and the Election Commission, the prime minister said all political parties will contest the elections on a level-playing field under a non-party caretaker government. She claimed that the Election Commission is completely neutral and will be functioning impartially.

"If people do not want, the caretaker government or the Election Commission can not salvage you," she said, adding that they came to power seeking apology to the people but they could not keep their word while in power.

Referring to the last elections, Khaleda said they (AL) had appointed their own people as the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners despite objections of the opposition at that time.

"Since we have firm faith in Allah and the people, we have won with two-thirds majority in 2001, freed the nation from terrorism and ensured development," she told the rally.

Khaleda said all conspiracies against the nation were foiled through the elections in 2001. "We did not and will not allow Bangladesh to be a vassal state."

About JMB militancy, she said recently an outfit had unleashed bomb terrorism in the name of Islam. However, she said, some 30 lakh people attended the Akheri Munajat of Biswa Ijtema peacefully and there was no disturbance.

Chaired by local MP Akbar Ali, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Prime Minister's Political Secretary Harris Chowdhury, State Minister for Power Iqbal Hassan Mahmud, State Minister for Education Ehsanul Huq Milan, Abdul Mannan Talukdar MP and Dr MA Matin MP.

Earlier, the prime minister laid the foundation stone of the academy building of Ullapara Science College and addressed the students of the college.

Addressing a public meeting at Sayedabad on the western side of Jamuna Bridge, the prime minister urged people to get ready to drive out the godfathers of a party, as they are trying to return to the country during the period of caretaker government.

"Their (indicating her political opponents) godfathers are not living in the country. They are trying to come back, but people will drive them (godfathers) out the way they did in the past," she said.

At Saydabad, the prime minister unveiled the plaque of the foundation stone of Sirajganj 450 MW power station, involving Tk 619 crore. The project is scheduled to be completed in two years.