Hasina asks ‘intellectuals’ not to tar ‘killer’ Khaleda and her with the same brush

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked ‘intellectuals’ not to urge her to take initiatives to end the current political crisis.

She said in Parliament on Tuesday: “There are some intellectuals. They compare me with Khaleda Zia. Please don’t compare me with a killer.”

“I pursue politics for the people. And her aim is to save the war criminals and her son. I’m sorry. Please don’t tar (her) and me with the same brush,” she added.

The prime minister’s statement came the same day Transparency International, Bangladesh urged the two leaders to reach a compromise.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia announced a countrywide non-stop blockade of highways, railways and waterways after failing to leave her office to attend a party programme on Jan 5 due to a police barricade.

After police were withdrawn from around her office, Khaleda had urged the government, at a press conference on Monday, to initiate a dialogue for a fresh general election.

She announced that the blockade would continue until the BNP-led alliance’s key demand – holding a snap election under a caretaker government – was met.

Hasina said: “She (Khaleda) is still at her office and away from her house. There is no police now, no obstruction. But why isn’t she returning home?

“Arrangements had been made earlier for her stay here (in the office). Newspapers reported that bathroom tiles and mattress had been changed. We have more information that we don’t want to disclose.”

On police deployment around Khaleda’s office, the prime minister said: “She had sent letters from the party seeking security. She called it a blockade when security was arranged. Yes, some measures are required to be taken.”

Hasina blamed the BNP chief for the subversive acts committed during the blockade.

“She is killing people and blaming the government for it. It’s nothing new. She said after Aug 21 (grenade attacks) that I had carried bombs in my bag. They killed 22 people including Ivy Rahman,” she said.

Hasina further remarked that the lies of the BNP leaders had ‘assumed international proportions’.

“The claims of a telephone call from (India’s) BJP President Amit Shah and a statement by (US) congressmen have all proved to be false. Their politics and lies are synonymous.”