BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday urged the people of the country to get ready for an anti-government movement after upazila parishad elections saying that movement is the only way to unseat the ‘illegal government’ to restore ‘democracy and peace’.
“Our movement will start once the upazila parishad elections are over. There’s no alternative to movement to dislodge the government for protecting the country and its sovereignty,” she told a mammoth rally at Rajbari Railway ground.
The former Prime Minister, in her 45-minute speech, alleged that Awami League is holding back power by force without concentrating on people’s demand and overlooking their wellbeing.
The rally, organised by her party-led 19-party alliance, was part of her move to rejuvenate the party’s grassroots leaders through district tours.
Terming the ruling Awami League ‘blood sucker’, the BNP chief said all will have to join the movement to save the country and its people from repression and restore democracy. “Do you agree (with me)?” she asked her audience and the huge crowd responded in chorus saying ‘yes we’re ready’.
Khaleda alleged that the present government snatched people’s all basic rights and the repression of the government on people will continue as long as Awami League is there in power. “If you want to protect the country, its sovereignty and get rid of government’s repression, the movement is a must to oust the Awami League regime.”
The former prime minister claimed that the young generation is not aware of the ruling Awami League’s character. “They should know about Awami League…it’s a dangerous party. It can’t do anything good for the country and its people.”
Expressing displeasure over non-implementation of Padma Bridge, Khaleda said the BNP-led alliance would build a Padma Bridge once it returns to power through a fair election under a non-party caretaker government. “If BNP gets back to power, we’ll build a Padma Bridge at Paturia-Goalanda point and set up a university in Rajbari.”
She said there will be no room for militancy and terrorism in the country; and no one will be allowed to use the land of Bangladesh for terrorism. “I want to make it clear that there’ll be no room for militancy on Bangladesh soil. Bangladesh is a sovereign country and its people are peace-loving ones.”
Criticising the government for its negligence regarding snatching of convicted militants from police custody, Khaleda said, “They (govt) will have to take the responsibility. It’s their gross failure.”
She claimed that the country and its people are not secure in the hands of ‘illegal government’. “We need to save the country and its people.”
The BNP chairperson claimed that a total of 304 people were killed and 65 made disappeared from October 25 to January 25 last while some 32,000 ‘false’ cases were lodged against their leaders and activists.
About the staggered upazila elections, she said BNP’s joining the upazila elections caused a heartburning for the Awami League.
Khaleda demanded empowerment of the chairmen of upazila parishads. “Chairmen will have to be given more power.”
She said Awami League does not believe in democracy and multiparty democracy. “No free and fair election can be held under the AL government.”
Turning to the quota system in government service, Khaleda said the percentage of quota should be reduced and the appointment should be on the basis of merits and competence.
Due to politicisation and nepotism during the appointment in the civil administration, meritorious students are being deprived, she added.
Coming down heavily on the Jatiya Party, the BNP chief said the party is playing the role of opposition in parliament and partner of the cabinet. “Can it (Jatiya Party) be called opposition party?”
Khaleda laid emphasis on steps to build a graft-free society, reestablishing good governance and ensuring neutral administration so that the people of the country are not deprived of justice.
Describing the January-5 election scenario, the former prime minister said the democracy-loving people of the country sent out the message that there had been no elections virtually.
“People’s demand for a non-party caretaker government was established as people did not go to the polling centers…they (AL) grabbed power forcibly,” she said.
Khaleda said the people of the country had taken the right decision by boycotting the January-5 polls. “You’ve saved the country and opened the path of strengthening democracy through the boycott. If people want, this illegal government won’t be able to stay in power.”
Referring to BDR carnage, the BNP chief said the Awami League’s hands got bloodstained and the party can never do anything good for the country.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP standing committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Mirza Abbas, BNP vice-chairman Sadeque Hossain Khoka and leaders of the BNP-led 19-party alliance, among others, spoke at the rally held with Rajbari district BNP president Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam in the chair.
It was the first public rally of the BNP chief after the national election held on January 5 amid boycott by her party-led alliance.
Source: UNBConnect
