BNP will not find the strength ever to topple government: Hasina

The BNP has ‘wasted its energy’ unleashing violence on the people under the guise of agitations and will not ever think of toppling her government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says.

The prime minister has ordered security forces to bring to justice the criminals who burned people to death in the name of anti-government movement.

Speaking at a video conference with the administrative chiefs of Natore and Feni after the Cabinet meeting on Monday, Hasina said those behind arson attacks must be punished for the sake of public security.

“I don’t know what Khaleda Zia achieved, but she had initiated a heinous thing. How can a political leader kill people like this?” the prime minister asked.

Over 130 people died—mostly in firebombing of vehicles—since Jan 5, when the BNP-led coalition enforced a countrywide transport blockade across Bangladesh.

It had also called simultaneous shutdowns to turn up the heat on Hasina’s Awami League-led government.

The party, which boycotted the national elections on Jan 5 last year, has been demanding a snap election under a ‘neutral’ administration.

Khaleda had been living at her office since Jan 3 after police stopped her from leaving the building to join a party programme.

The BNP chief had called for the blockade on Jan 5 after failing to leave her office for the second time to join a rally.

She had stayed on at her Gulshan office even after police withdrew.

The BNP-led coalition had not withdrawn its agitation despite several calls in the wake of the Bishwa Ijtema and the SSC exams.

Khaleda did not even leave her office on the Language Martyrs Day and the Independence Day to pay her homage.

An arrest warrant was out for the former prime minister as she failed to appear in several hearings of graft cases against her.

However, on Apr 5, she attended a court hearing before returning to her residence after three months.

Hasina came down hard on Khaleda on Monday, saying: “What did she achieve by killing people? She had to surrender in court and return home. And the Awami League is doing fine.

“I hope they will not find the strength in future to topple the government.”