Hasina says Khaleda frequently seeking time from court is evidence of her corruption

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia repeatedly seeking time from court in graft cases is evidence of her corruption, says Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"This lady just can't face the courts. And that is because she is involved in corruption," Hasina said on Wednesday in an interaction to the mark the 47th anniversary of party's labour affiliate Sramik League.

Speaking at the discussion at her official residence, the Ganabhaban, Hasina said her government is being blamed for pursuing 'false cases'. "Let the courts decide, if the cases are false or genuine," said the Awami League chief.

Hasina claimed the BNP chief lacked the courage to face the court as she was guilty deep down.

She drew the example of her own struggle of fighting ‘false cases’ lodged during the military-installed caretaker administration in 2007.

Hasina slated the former prime minister for carrying out widespread firebombing in 2014 and 2015.

Khaleda Zia had to appear before the court several times over the last few years in the Zia trust graft cases. File photo

“They always claim that they had been sued in false cases. Which one of these is a false case here? Did they not burn people?” she asked.

The prime minister highlighted how a number of labourers succumbed to massive burn injuries received during these attacks.

Addressing Sramik League leaders, she said: “The workers are the ones who face the horror of such attacks,” adding the BNP never took any initiative to solve the workers' problems.

Hasina recalled different movements waged by the Sramik League formed under the leadership Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Referring to the deaths of 17 people in labour movements when the BNP was in power, Hasina highlighted initiatives by her administration for workers, including amending the Labour Act.