She opens 12 re-constructed Buddhist temples at Ramu
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday alleged that the main opposition BNP has done nothing for the welfare of the countrymen. Addressing a grand rally at the Ukhiya High School ground, on Tuesday, under Ukhiya upazila, in Cox’s Bazar, Hasina said, “The BNP is trying to save war criminals. The BNP chairperson is taking the side of war criminals. The BNP chief is dreaming that she would be in power with the help of militants and war criminals. But our people will reject them in the next poll.”
“People get something only when Awami League (AL) comes to power,” she added.
She urged people to cast their votes for AL to give her the scope to serve the people of the country for another term. “Cast your vote for ‘boat’ and allow me to serve you for another term,” she said, pledging her government’s effort to better the lives of Cox’s Bazar residents.
The Prime Minister alleged that BNP wanted to come to power by using the Hefazat-E-Islami, who against the empowerment of women.
Criticising the Hefazat ameer’s ‘tetul’ theory, Hasina wondered if such an objectionable comparison of women with “tamarind” was also applicable to a woman political leader of the opposition, such as former PM Khaleda Zia.
The Prime Minister reminded the Hefazat Ameer that Bibi Khadiza was the first woman to embrace Islam, while Bibi Sumaiya was the first woman to embrace martyrdom. “Hefazat is trying to stop the education of the country’s women by introducing such theories,” she added.
Urging everyone to remain careful about the propaganda of BNP, Jamaat and Hefazat, Hasina said the opposition was misguiding people in the name of religion. She said women workers might lose their job if the unholy opposition alliance, led by BNP, ever comes to power.
“BNP and Jamaat have two qualities—corruption and killing. If they come to power, the country will be dominated by militants. The people will lose their rights to vote and food,” she added.
Turning to the unsuccessful attempt of the opposition leader to clear her matriculation exams, Hasina said Khaleda Zia had failed in every subject, except “Urdu” and “Mathematics” as she knows very well how to make money.
Blasting the opposition leader for issuing a 48-hour ultimatum in May this year to the government, Hasina alleged that she had instigated Hefazat to call their Dhaka Siege Programme on May 5 and burned hundreds of copies of holy Qurans on that night.
“I don’t know how a Muslim could set fire to holy Quran? Could there be any more disgraceful thing than this?” she said.
The Prime Minister claimed that her party has always been very active in protecting and safeguarding Islam. She mentioned that Bangabandhu had established Islamic Foundation in the country for spreading the values of Islam.
The Prime Minister reached the venue at 4.20 pm in a helicopter from the Inani sea beach area. She began her speech at 4.40 pm.
“The next national poll will be held under the country’s charter. We’ve already held many polls under the Constitution. No questions were raised about these polls,” she said.
“People know that our rule is synonymous with development. The price of essential commodities is under control. People’s income has increased and they can sleep peacefully during the Awami League regime,” she added.
Mentioning that there is now a record amount of reserves in Bangladesh Bank, Hasina said, “We can control the rise in prices. People can visit markets even at midnight as we have ensured a sense of security in them.”
“We have nationalised primary schools of the country, and more than two lakh teachers of such schools have already got government jobs under the nationalisation programme. We’ve established many educational institutions to ensure a bright future for our children. If we come to power again, we’ll ensure the education for all,” she added.
“Bangladesh will observe its golden jubilee of independence in 2021. We are working hard to make Bangladesh a digital country, where the basic rights of people remain intact. We are also working towards resolving gas and power crises,” she observed.
Accusing the BNP of shutting down community clinics built by the AL-led government, the Premier urged the countrymen to vote for her party in the next poll, to prevent the BNP from such doings.
The rally was presided over Ukhiya upazila AL president Adil Uddin Chowdhury and moderated by upazila AL secretary Principal Hamidul Hoque Chowdhury. Abdur Rahman Badi, Ethin Rakhain, Safiya Khatun, BCB chairman Nazmul Hasan Papon, Hasina Mannan, Cox’s Bazar Zila Parisad administrator Mostak Ahmed Chy, district AL president Ahmed Hossen, secretary Salah uddin Ahmed, AL leader Nazrul Islam Chy, AL central member Aminul Haque Amin, Teknaf upzila AL president Mohammed Ali, Chakaria upazila chairman Rezaul Karim, district JSD president Nimul Haque Chy, Bandarban district AL secretary Mojibur Rahman, BCL central secretary Siddiki Nazmul Alam, Teknaf upazila chairman Safiq Miah, Razapalong UP chairman Zahangir Kabir Chy, Chittagong south district AL president Moslah Uddin, among others, addressed the rally.
Earlier, the Prime Minister addressed a thanks-giving function after inaugurating 12 newly built Buddhist temples at Ramu central Seema Bihar. She said communal harmony must be protected across all religions.
Ramu Seema Bihar principal Sattya Prio Mahathero and Bihar committee secretary Taron Barua addressed the function.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated 38 development projects, including Cox’s Bazar Sheik Kamal International Cricket Stadium, before the rally.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will exchange views with the party’s grassroots leaders of Dinajpur, Jamalpur, Rajbari, Manikganj, Lalmonirhat, Gazipur and Bhola districts on Wednesday. The meeting will be held at the Prime Minister’s official residence at 3 pm.
-With The Independent input
