Some 50,000 opposition supporters have held a rally in Dhaka to press for the government's resignation and early elections. They also issued a call for a general strike on March 27th. The rally was led by the Awami League party leader Sheikh Hasina who told the gathering she wants early elections. The March 27th shutdown will be the ninth strike called by the opposition party since a grenade attack in January killed one of the party leaders and four activists at a political rally. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but the opposition blamed the government. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's administration has denied any involvement, and agreed to an independent investigation. It has also vowed to remain in power until its term ends in 2006.
