PM Sheikh Hasina asks BNP chief Khaleda Zia to stop staging drama

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has dubbed the attack on her arch foe BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s rally at Karwan Bazar a ‘drama’.

“She (Khaleda) is staging drama everywhere after she stayed in her office 91 days, exploded bombs and torched buses to put the people through turmoil,” she says.
 
Referring to Khaleda-announced nationwide blockade and shutdowns, Hasina said, “She put a stop to the people’s lives. When that ended and peace returned, she has now hit the streets to cause pain.”
 
The Awami League president’s remarks came during a meeting of the party’s Parliamentary Board at the Ganabhaban on Monday night.

Khaleda came under attack at Karwan Bazar while campaigning for the party-endorsed candidates for Dhaka in the afternoon.

She left the scene unharmed but her car along with almost all the others in the motorcade was damaged.

Several of her security staff and journalists covering the event were injured.

Hasina criticised her for ‘putting on a show’ while people were preparing to take part in the city corporations polls.

“Her (Khaleda’s) security force opened fire without provocation. Stop your security officials. Don’t let them play with people’s lives,” Hasina said.

“Don’t create unrest anymore. People don’t want to live in chaos.”

The BNP has already called a shutdown across Bangladesh for Wednesday protesting against the attack on party chief.

It claimed the government carried out the attack fearing defeat of the candidates it has supported in the city corporations elections.

Hasina brushed off the allegation and blamed the BNP chairperson. “She (Khaleda) knows she can’t win. That’s why she is creating panic and disturbing the (proper polls) environment.”

“Only those will win whom the people want,” said the prime minister.

The BNP alleged that the government to eliminate Khaleda had carried out planned attack on her.

Addressing her, Hasina said, “You (Khaleda) killed Ivy Rahman when you were in power. you tried to kill me. And now you are causing trouble in peaceful public life.”

“This is the local government election. Stop your drama and let the people live in peace,” the prime minister told Khaleda.