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The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other like-minded parties on Friday warned the government of waging a tougher movement if it does not resign immediately for a fair and inclusive election under a neutral caretaker government.
They issued the strongly-worded warning before bringing out a black-flag processions from different parts of the capital for immediate resignation of the government and dissolve parliament to this end.
Dhaka city north and south units of the nationalist party organised the event.
Other like-minded parties of the alliance also brought out black-flag processions separately.
BNP Dhaka south unit took out a procession from the Nayapaltan party office that ended at Dayaganj area after parading through Motijheel and Ittefaq intersection.
Standing committee member Mirza Abbas at a brief rally before the procession said, "If the government is not ousted, the people won't survive and the country's sovereignty will be at stake."
During the Pakistan regime, he said, bullets were fired on Bangalees whenever they fought for their rights to vote and freedom of speeches.
Mr Abbas bitterly criticised the government for sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities, including power, gas and electricity, saying "The looting of public purse by this government is widespread."
This time the government would not be able to hold any election without voters like the ones staged in 2014 and 2018, he asserted.
"A particular country is saying that they need the ruling Awami League. I would say them please make friendship with the people of Bangladesh not the government," said the BNP stalwart.
Standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said it was the responsibility of police to safeguard people and their properties. Instead, they are safeguarding the looters of public money.
The government would not be able to suppress their movement by bullets and torture, he uttered.
Mr Roy urged the government to resign immediately, otherwise the ruling clique would not be able to escape public wrath.
Dhaka south unit convener Abdus Salam chaired the rally where BNP leaders Barkatullah Bulu, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Rafiqul Islam Bakul and Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, among others, were present.
Meanwhile, Dhaka north unit brought a procession from Shyamoli Link Road that terminated near Mohammadpur Bus Stand after covering adjoining Shia Mosque area.
Standing committee member Amir Khashru Mahmud Chowdhury while addressing a brief rally before the procession said the Awami League has now become a virulent opponent of people.
No government in the past could win by taking opposite side of the people, he commented.
Law-enforcers would not side with the government, which was awaiting its ouster, Mr Khashru hoped.
In another development, leaders of the 12-party alliance said the Awami League government has intensified its oppression of the opponents sensing its imminent fall.
They bitterly criticised the government for arresting opponent leaders and activists despite warnings by human rights bodies of western countries.
The alliance leaders said India would not save the ruling Awami League and the ruling clique understood that they could no longer hold on to power.
They made the comments at a rally before the procession from near Bijoynagar Water Tank in the afternoon.
While chairing the rally, Mostofa Jamal Haider, chief of 12-party alliance and chairman of Jatiya Party, said their movement would continue until realising the demand.
Spokesperson for the alliance and also chairman of Bangladesh Kalgan Party Maj Gen (retd) Syed Mohammad Ibrahim asked the government to accept their demand.
Leaders of other allies of the coalition were present.
Meanwhile, Gonotantra Mancha took out a black-flag procession at Shahbagh, 12-party alliance at Bijoynagar, Gono Forum and People's Party at Arambagh, Liberal Democratic Party at Panthapath, Labour Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad (Reza Kibria), Sadaran Chhatra Adhikar Parishad near the National Press Club, Gono Odhikar Parishad (Noor) near Fakirapool Culvert Road, National Democratic Movement at Malibagh, Democratic Leftist Alliance at Segunbagicha, AB Party near Bijoynagar Labour Bhaban and Janatar Odhikar Party at Bijiynagar Water Tank.