BNP-led alliance incapable of launching agitations, says Prime Minister Hasina

The BNP-led alliance, which had enforced a crippling transport blockade earlier this year, is no longer capable of launching anti-government agitations, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.

She asked the people to pray for Bangladesh’s success while criticising the BNP-headed coalition for its violent agitations.

“There can be no worse offence than burning people to death,” Hasina said referring to the arson deaths during the BNP’s demonstration earlier this year.

“Khaleda Zia did just that along with the BNP-Jamaat[-e-Islami coalition],” she said after exchanging greetings with people on the Eid day, Saturday, at the Ganabhaban.

She said this year Eid was more joyous for the people thanks to economic development, hassle-free travel and tight security measures.           

BNP-led alliance’s three-month agitation from January to March left over 100 people dead, thousands of vehicles damaged and the economy bleeding.

The government and BNP have been trading charges over the deaths.

BNP chief and former prime minister Khaleda, along with several leaders of her party, has been accused in cases filed over the violence.

“No-one will be able to harm Bangladesh anymore,” the prime minister asserted. “I can say as much that they (the BNP-Jamaat alliance) will never have the strength to do so.”

Earlier in the day, Khaleda threatened fresh anti-government agitation after revamping her party.

She said the demonstration would be “peaceful”.

Prime Minister Hasina sought the people’s blessings to accelerate the pace of development.

“(Pray) so that Bangladesh can attain a respectable position in the world, so that Bengali nation can stand in the global arena with dignity.”

The Awami League chief said it was evident that 'good intention leads to good results'.

She highlighted her government’s achievements saying, “We are now a role model of development.”

The World Bank, earlier in July, elevated Bangladesh in the category of lower-middle income country, whose Gross National Income per capita (GNI) ranges between $1,046 and $4,125.

Bangladesh’s GDP has maintained a steady average growth rate of over 6 percent for the last few years.

“Bangladesh has shown its skill in combating terrorism and militancy.

“The whole world now admires Bangladesh for its growth and economic development,” Hasina said.

“All I want is that the people live in peace and the quality of their living standard improves,” she added.