Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday defended her government’s move to amend the Constitution and said it was done after consultations with all, including the Opposition BNP.
Addressing a meeting with unit leaders of seven districts at her official residence Ganobhaban, the Prime Minister pointed out that her government wanted to set an example by handing over power constitutionally through a free, fair and credible election.
She mentioned that in the past democracy was at stake when persons not elected were given the task of running the country.
Sheikh Hasina said there are persons who want to assume power through the backdoor as they know that they will not get the people’s mandate.
“These people are advocating a government comprising unelected persons and they are the creators of all troubles,” she said, adding that through the 15th amendment the government had sealed the possibility of taking over of power by extra-constitutional forces.
“We have amended the Constitution keeping a provision for punishment for those who will try to grab state power illegally.”
Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, said that after Independence, peaceful transfer of power did not take place, except in 2001 when an AL-led government was in power. Every time trouble erupted over transfer of power.
“This time too the AL-led government will see to it that power is transferred constitutionally and peacefully, so that people will not have to face any uncertainty in future,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said 19 coups have taken place during the nation’s 42-year history. “We have changed the Constitution for the sake of the people, so that no military dictator will be able to grab state power,” Hasina said.
Describing BNP founder and former President, the late Ziaur Rahman, and Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad as military dictators, the Premier alleged that they captured state power forcibly, not with the people’s mandate.
“And that is why I’m saying that the BNP and the JP do no believe in democracy or any constitutional process,” she added.
The Awami League president said a government would not have any responsibility to the people if it is voted to power through a rigged election or illegally.
“Therefore, a free, fair and credible election is a must to ensure people’s democratic and constitutional rights,” she said.
Hasina alleged that the BNP-Jammat government unleashed a reign of terror after assuming power in 2001 through a rigged election. On the other hand, the Awami League improved the law and order situation after coming to power in 2008.
Projecting her government’s successes, the Prime Minister claimed that the Awami League-led government has brought about development in all spheres, including education, health and economy.
She asked her party’s grassroots-level leaders to suggest names of at least three candidates in each constituency for contesting the next poll. “The AL believes in democracy and that why it takes the opinion of grassroots-level party men,” she said.
At the same time, the Prime Minister called upon other political parties to practise democracy in their respective party.
“We hope all political parties will nominate their candidates after taking the opinion of party workers at the grassroots level, so that democracy- loving people are sent to Parliament,” she said.
Among others, deputy leader in Parliament, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury, AL presidium members Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Satish Chandra Roy and Abdul Latif Siddiqui, AL advisory council member Suranjit Sengupta and AL leader Abul Hasnat Abdullah were present at the meeting, with Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
In the first phase of the views exchange meeting, the prime minister exchanged her views with the grassroots leaders from Dinajpur, Jamalpur, Rajbari, Manikganj, Lalmonithat, Gazipur and Bhola.
-With The Independent input
