"If you [Awami League] are sincere, I hope you will discuss [the proposals] in the committee. We will also hold discussions and debates, and take a decision about their proposals if they place those in parliament as a bill after removing the mistakes and inconsistencies," the prime minister said while participating in the thanksgiving motion on the president's speech.

Khaleda however strongly criticised Awami League (AL) for what she said was its delay in tabling the reform proposals in parliament, ignoring the rules of procedure.

"They could have placed the proposals much before if they really wanted the reforms. But they placed the proposals so late, because they were sure that they would not be able to go to power. What they want is to foil the elections by creating anarchy in the name of the reforms agenda," the PM claimed.

"However, what I say is let's form a committee to reach a point of agreement for holding fair elections. We will nominate members to the committee, you [AL] nominate yours," she said.

She said people do not understand what the main opposition wants. "Does it want a government and an administration that would ensure its victory by vote rigging?" she asked, adding, "But nobody can allow such a demand to be fulfilled."

In her one-hour-and-42-minute speech, Khaleda detailed what she claimed were her government's successes in different sectors.

"The opposition leader placed the reform proposals taking the floor on a point of order. No discussion can be held on the matter," Khaleda said amid protest by the AL lawmakers who said the opposition leader placed the reform proposals in a statement.

In an instant response, the PM said the proposals could be talked out then if any discussion was held on it.

Referring to AL demands, she said, "Is parliament an office of trade union? The opposition cannot act like a trade union by saying that the demands have to be met."

She criticised the AL for not brining any reform in the election system when it was in power. She, however, defended the existing caretaker government system, saying, "The two general elections were held in a free and fair manner under this system."

The premier also described and placed a detail list of the present government's success in different sectors, saying the opposition is "afraid" by those successes.

She claimed that her government has succeeded in combating terrorism and pledged to root out corruption if BNP gets the chance to run the country for another term.

She urged the people to vote for BNP-Jamaat-led four-party alliance again to keep the present pace of development ongoing.

Khaleda refuted any sort of fertiliser crisis in the country and blamed the opposition for creating the crisis.

"The Awami League men used to make brisk money by smuggling fertiliser to a neighbouring country. But we have stopped such smuggling that has frustrated the Awami League men forcing them towards demonstrations," she said, adding, "Farmers are not demonstrating for fertiliser."

On the ongoing power crisis across the country, the premier said the situation was more grave during the previous AL rule. "The situation has improved a lot now. Demand for power has increased over the years due to huge industrialisation and new connections across the country," she said. "For this, there is a little shortage of power at present."

Khaleda claimed that the prices of essentials are under control and within people's reach. She said people's purchase capacity has increased despite slight rise in the prices of some commodities as an impact of the international market.

There is nothing new in the opposition leader's speech, Khaleda said, bitterly criticising the opposition for "creating anarchy" in the country and hampering the progress of the alliance government.

On different bomb blasts, grenade attacks and political killing, including that of Shah AMS Kibria, she said, "The trial into the cases is going on and the culprits must be punished."

Khaleda alleged that the incidents of bomb blasts had started during the previous AL rule and the then government did not take any stern move to punish the culprits.

"It is clear to people that [the Awami League] nurtures the criminals and we punish them," the premier said referring to a number of recent verdicts on the nation-wide bomb blasts cases.

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