"The people of this country are to decide who should run the country. The country will not run at any individual's or group's sweet will," she said in a teleconference with expatriate Bangladeshis in Japan early yesterday.

Khaleda alleged that a conspiracy is being hatched to destroy the country's democracy. "Vested quarters, which want to grab Bangladesh, are hatching conspiracy... Every patriotic person should understand this," she said, adding that any conspiracy against Bangladesh must be prevented.

"I will do politics as long as the countrymen want me... I will resign from politics when people will not want me," said the beleaguered former prime minister.

She alleged that a conspiracy is being hatched to destroy the image of the accepted leaders of popular political parties. "Time has come to think in whose interest this kind of activities are going on," she said.

Khaleda hoped BNP would return to power again if free and fair elections were held as people are beside this party. "No conspiracy would prevent BNP," she claimed.

She said a number of leaders are acting against BNP in the name of reforms and they are trying to gather supporters by issuing threats.

In an implicit note of warning to the dissident BNP leaders, she said, "Actions would be taken against those who want reforms violating the party's constitution and under this situation where political activities are restricted."

Earlier, the BNP Japan chapter submitted a memorandum to Japanese premier, Shinzo Abe, informing him about the present situation of Bangladesh. A spokesman for Shinzo Abe assured the BNP leaders and workers that the Japanese government is aware of the situation in Bangladesh.