‘Ensure that development projects continue’
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged people to vote her party to power again for ensuring continuation of the “development spree initiated by her government”.
Addressing a mammoth rally at the Jhenidah Government Boys’ School ground, the Prime Minister, who is also the Awami League president, warned that if the BNP comes to power again, the country would experience a reign of terror and corruption.
“The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) resorts to terrorism, looting and corruption when it comes to power, while the AL brings peace and carries out massive development,” she added.
“After 1975, power transfer has never been peaceful. Only the Awami League did it in 2001. And this time as well, power will be handed over peacefully,” she said, adding: “We will begin the practice of constitutionally-bound elections and continuation of democracy with smooth transfer of power. Someone has to start the process and the present government will do that. Many are finding various ways to explain the Constitution. A certain quarter does not want the country to be run constitutionally. They have no popular support, but they desire power. These people are the root of every crisis.”
Hasina said her government would be able to complete the trial of war criminals, like the trial in the Bangabandhu assassination case, to free the nation from a stigma.
She said: “I believe that we will be able to complete the trial of those who committed crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971. The BNP cannot save them.”
Accusing the BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia of siding with war criminals, Hasina said BNP-Jamaat activists have been killing people, setting them on fire to save war criminals. Calling one hartal after another, the BNP-Jamaat combine is carrying out vandalism across the country only to save war criminals.
“How is it possible that, being Muslims, they set people on fire,” Hasina wondered.
Branding the BNP-Jamaat as defeated forces, the Premier alleged that Khaleda has no responsibility towards the people, and that is why they kill ordinary citizens by setting them ablaze.
She claimed that this is not the case with the Awami League, as it is a party of freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the Liberation War and saved the country from the Pakistani occupation forces.
“Only those who make sacrifices and endure sufferings can have passion for the country, but those who had captured power all of a sudden don’t love it,” she asserted.
Highlighting her government’s successes, she said: “You voted for the Awami League in the last election. Now I am seeking votes again.” Thousands of hands shot up while a “yes” rang out in unison. Thousands of AL leaders, workers and supporters of Jhenidah, Jessore, Magura, Fultola, Khulna, Meherpur, Jibonnogor, Darshana, Chuadanga, Modhukhali, Faridpur, Rajbari, Natore and Veramara, Kushtia districts joined the rally with banners and placards.
The Prime Minister alleged that Khaleda was spreading misinformation about her party (Awami League) ahead of the upcoming general election.
“She (Khaleda) is saying that imams of mosques will be persecuted if the Awami League comes to power again, which is totally baseless.”
Hasina criticised her political arch rival for celebrating a “fake” birthday on August 15, the day when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers. “Whenever the Awami League comes to power, there is development work in mosques and madrasas,” Hasina said.
She urged people not to be misled by such falsehoods by the “BNP-Jamaat-Shibir-Hefazat”, activists of which, she said, under Khaleda’s directive, burnt hundreds of copies of the Holy Quran in the capital on May 5. “Can any Muslim burn the Quran,” she asked.
“Islam is a religion of peace and it teaches us to lead a beautiful life. But it is unfortunate that some people hurt religious sentiments and tarnish Islam’s image by taking to the path of militancy and terrorism. So, I think the Alem-Mashaekhs (Islamic scholars) will have to come forward to remove the confusion,” she said.
Hasina inaugurated 16 projects digitally by pressing switches at the venue. These include mural of Bangabandhu at the Chuadanga bus stand, Veterinary College at Jhenidah, Jhenidah Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court, Agriculture Training Institute, Institute of Health Technology, Medical Assistance Training Institute, Factory of Oral Saline, newly-constructed Jhenidah Post Office Building, Jhenidah Shishu Academy Complex, Jhenidah Muktijoddha Complex, extended building of the Government Keshob Chandra College, extended building of Jhenidah Pouroshova.
Hasina told party men that only patriotic and capable persons would get nomination in the election so that they could serve the country.
The rally was presided over by the state minister for fisheries and livestock and president of the Jhenidah district Awami League, Abdul Haee.
Among others, agriculture minister Mutia Chowdhury, Shahara Khatun, AL joint secretary Mahabubul Haque Hanif, organising secretary ABM Mozammel Haque and MPs Shafiqul Islam Apu, Shafiqul Azam Khan Chanchal, Abdul Mannan and Nur Jahan Begum, Mayor of Jhenidah Municipality Saidul Karim Mintu and Sadar upazila chairman Kanak Kanti Das were present.
-With The Independent input
