Comparing the caretaker government with crocodile and snake, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged opposition leader Khaleda Zia not to invite these dangerous elements anymore. “Don’t invite crocodiles by digging canals. It’ll bite you. So, stay with the democratic system,” she urged the opposition leader. Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the ruling Awami League, was delivering her inaugural speech at an extended meeting of the party central committee at her official residence Ganobhaban.
“Don’t bring a snake out of its hole, don’t push the country into the dark abbey again, I request her (Khaleda),” she said.
In this context, Prime Minister castigated a vernacular daily for publishing what she said a misleading survey report on the caretaker government issue.
“One paper wrote 90 per cent of the total population back caretaker government…those who believe in democracy need to be alert about this newspaper,” she said.
The Prime Minister, also the President of the ruling Awami League, said this while delivering her speech at an extended meeting of Awami League central working committee at her official residence Ganobhaban. Hasina said the newspaper wanted to confuse people with unreliable information and urged people to remain alert regarding their misdeeds. Referring to the short story that the daily published a couple of weeks back, the Prime Minister said everybody is aware about the character of this newspaper. “They published an indecent story on Ganajagaran Mancha. Later, they apologised. Is there any reliability of their information,” she questioned.
Hasina said the newspaper in its survey elicited opinions only from 3,000 people from the 160 million people of the country. “Where are the supporters of our party, where are their opinions. We got 52 per cent vote of the total voters last time,” she said.
The Prime Minister also mentioned that only AL got 48 per cent votes, while the grand alliance 52 percent. “If we deduct 48 percent from the 90 per cent, where are our voters,” she wanted to know.
Hasina recalled the role of this newspaper during the 1/11 period. “I’am sure you didn’t forget the role of this newspaper and what role they played in the last caretaker government.”
She also requested the opposition leader to stop threatening, killing and destruction, and return to Parliament. “Let’s find out a solution through dialogue and discussion,” Hasina said requesting the opposition leader to be on the path of democracy shunning the undemocratic path. The premier renewed her call to the leader of the opposition to join Parliament and return to the healthy democratic process instead of threatening the elected government.
Referring to the recent failed ultimatum given by the BNP chief, the Prime Minister wanted to know where from she draws the strength to issue such threats.
Issuing a note of warning, Sheikh Hasina said the BNP led-opposition must stop destructive activities like killing of people, vandalism, arson attacks and destruction of property in the name of political programmes.
Calling upon the countrymen to remain alert about the undemocratic activities of the opposition BNP and its allies, she said no one would be allowed to play with the fate of people.
In this connection, she warned that her government would no longer tolerate destruction of the property of people and take drastic actions against those involved in such acts. She laid emphasis on maintaining the constitutional process saying her government has ensured the voting rights of people through strengthening the country’s democratic institutions.
Coming down heavily on the leader of opposition for her role during Hefajat-e-Islam’s programmes, Sheikh Hasina said BNP leader made an abortive attempt to topple the government joining hands with the anti-liberation forces.
She criticised the leaders and workers of Jamaat-Shibir and Hefajat-e Islam for burning hundreds of pieces of the holy Quran saying there is no such previous instance of burning so many copies of the holy book in the world.
In this regard, she categorically said the BNP leader will have to take the responsibility of the heinous acts like burning holy Quran and shops of religious books in Baitul Mukarram areas.
Sheikh Hasina said the BNP-led opposition has been conspiring to create anarchy to foil the trial of war criminals as the government has brought them to justice as part of materialising the election pledge.
About the next general election, the Awami League President said it must be held as per the constitution and the system being practiced in other democratic countries around the world.
Sheikh Hasina said her government’s aim is to ensure the development and welfare of and has implemented massive development programmes to this end in last the four and half years.
In this regard, she mentioned her government’s achievements in various sectors, including education, health, communication, ICT and infrastructure sectors.
-with The Independent input
