Bangladesh’s socio-economic development and a crackdown on militancy and terrorism have brightened its image before the world, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.
After exchanging Eid-ul-Azha greetings with people on Monday, she called for eschewing ‘acts of destruction’ to prolong this positive image.
“Bangladesh is moving towards socio-economic development… It has secured a place in the global arena,” she said.
Hasina hoped her government would be able to make Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed nation by 2041.
The prime minister said Bangladesh was no longer a safe haven for terrorists or plagued by corruption as in the days of the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami government.
“Bangladesh is hailed as a role model today, known as a peaceful country,” Hasina said.
“The image of Bangladesh and Bengalis has brightened in the world and we want to maintain it.”
She thanked everyone for celebrating Durga Puja and the Eid without any incident.
The prime minister claimed prices of goods were within the people’s reach which signified socio-economic development.
‘Khaleda must pay for her mistakes’
Hasina took questions from journalists after exchanging greetings.
On the BNP’s threats of an anti-government agitation after the Eid, she said they had made similar announcements before.
“Their (the BNP) movement translates into murders and destructive activities,” the Awami League president retorted, which she said, the people would never accept.
She said her government would do everything it could to check such violence and hoped that the BNP and its allies would keep away from violent activities.
About BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s warning to make the government sit for talks, Hasina said, “Time will tell who will be made to what and where.”
She said the BNP leaders were ‘incoherent’ in their speeches.
“You (Khaleda) don’t talk when I call but now demand holding a dialogue. She won’t accept my invitation but says we have to talk,” Hasina said.
Khaleda had declined the prime minister’s invitation last year before the polls citing her party’s pre-announced general strike.
The two fierce political foes had spoken over telephone once but only agreed to disagree.
“It seems she (Khaleda) is under mental stress all the time. Nothing she says makes sense,” the Awami League chief added.
Hasina accused the BNP-led government of “destroying” Bangladesh with corruption, and “patronising militancy and terrorism”.
The country made a positive turnaround after the Awami League came to power in 2009, she said. The people had regained confidence and their lives had become easier.
“The BNP chief is neither the opposition leader nor anything else. She is just a leader of a political party.
“She must pay for her political mistakes,” the prime minister thundered.
The BNP and its allies boycotted the Jan 5 parliamentary polls demanding an impartial supervision.
About media reports on ‘conspiracies’ to topple her government, the prime minister said there was no reason to be frightened.
“I wouldn’t have entered politics if I were afraid. We are capable of facing any challenge.”
Source: Bd news24