PM says BNP indifferent to democracy

The BNP was established by a military ruler and that’s why the party does not understand the language of democracy, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.

“BNP was established by a military dictator. They come to power only to loot from the people. They don’t understand the language of democracy,” she said on Saturday at a rally in Moulvibazar.

“Awami League carried out development whenever it comes to power. No past government was able to make such progress in only four years.”

Criticising the Opposition, the Awami League President at the rally also sought votes for her party again to ensure the continuity of the development.

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“Vote for boat. We started trying the war criminals. And those [verdicts] will be executed,” she added.

She also pledged building government schools and colleges at every Upazilas if her party comes to power for another term.

The district unit of the ruling party had organised the rally at the Baralekha Degree College ground.

Pledging local developments, Sheikh Hasina said, “In-Sha-Allah, Baralekha Degree College will be brought under government supervision if I come to power again. Perfume (ator) factories will be considered as a small industry. A tea auction centre will be set up in Moulvibazar.”

She also mentioned several other development initiatives taken by her government in the district, including raising the daily wages of the tea garden labourers and move to set up railway tracks from Kulaura to Shahbazpur.

The Prime Minister arrived at the rally venue shortly after 3pm. People from different areas had thronged there even before her arrival. Many huddled on the roads and roofs of the buildings adjacent to the venue to hear her.

She had highlighted development works implemented by the government in various sectors, including power.

Taking a dig at the Opposition’s decision to call general strike again, Hasina said, “Junior School Certificate examinations started from the fourth (Nov 4). I asked the BNP chief (Khaleda Zia) not to call strike. But she called the strike that very day.”

“What has gotten into her? She burned several people to death. Even a child, Monir Hossain was killed.”

“They laugh when people are burned to death. Are they even human being?”

The BNP-led 18-Party alliance on Friday afternoon had declared another three-day nationwide shutdown starting from Sunday. But the party on Saturday extended the strike by another day after five of its leaders were arrested on Saturday night.

The Awami League President at the Moulvibazar rally again questioned the educational qualification of the Opposition Leader while addressing the rally.

“BNP leader Khaleda Zia was Khaleda Begum when she sat for the SSC examinations. She failed in all subjects, except mathematics and Urdu. She wants our children to be illiterate.”

Hasina kept hitting her rival saying, “She [Khaleda] used government money for the education of her sons. What did she taught them? She taught corruption, terrorism, money laundering and how to attack with grenades.”

Regarding the BNP’s key ally Jamaat-e-Islami and radical group Hifazat-e Islam, she said, “She [Khaleda] has Jamaat and Hifazat-e Islam. They do politics in the name of Islam. How can those who set mosques on fire and burns the Quran protect the Islam?”

Seeking vote for Awami League, the Prime Minister said, “Awami League ensures development of the country...... that’s why you will vote for us. We want to make this country an educated nation. We provided books free of cost up to higher secondary level.”

Hasina also strongly criticised Khaleda for seeking more time and not attending the hearing on the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case in the court. “This is sad that the Opposition Leader embezzled the orphanage’s money. She does not go to court. She does not have the honesty to stand in front of a court.”

Awami League Advisory Council members - Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Amir Hossain Amu and Suranjit Sengupta, Presidium member and Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury and Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid also addressed the rally among others.

Amu blamed the Leader of the Opposition for creating chaos by not sitting for a dialogue.

Meanwhile, Minister without Portfolio Suranjit urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to become sterner to hold her position and handle the situation.

The rally, presided over by Baralekha Upazila Awami League unit President Shahb Uddin, was also addressed by party Whip Abdus Shahid and central Organising Secretary Mesbah Uddin Siraj.

Earlier at noon, Hasina arrived at Baralekha in a helicopter. Then she inaugurated the technical training centre for the orphans and people with disabilities.

She also inaugurated the Moulvibazar District Freedom Fighters Complex, Itaurhi Women’s Dakhil Madrasa, Chandgram AU Dakhil Madrasa and the newly constructed academic building of the Jurhi Model High School.

The Prime Minister also unveiled the foundation plaque of two more madrasas and another technical training centre.