A comment about the upcoming national elections contained in a speech by Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son, has been likened to one of US President Barack Obama’s campaign speeches.
Juba League Chairman Omar Faruk Chowdhury drew the parallel in press conference on Monday, saying: “His (Joy’s) comment was like a campaign speech by Obama.”
Sajeeb Wajed had said that he had information that the Awami League would win the parliamentary election, triggering an opposition outcry.
“Not only Sajeeb Wajed Joy but every Awami League leader and activist has information that the party will get the people’s mandate,” Chowdhury said, endorsing Joy’s observation.
He hailed Joy, a specialist of information technology, as a next-generation ‘icon’, and said the Juba League wanted a modern, meritorious, innovative and scientific-minded Bangladeshi youth.
He cited that as the reason for the Prime Minister’s son being invited to its Iftar party as the chief guest.
“Joy gave an enthusiastic and insightful speech in that programme. He said, based on the recent poll findings, the people of Bangladesh would return the Awami League to power.”
The Juba League chairman feels Joy’s remark was a lot like what Obama had said in New York. “Obama had said in that speech: I know the people will lead me to victory,” Chowdhury recalled.
He was confident that Wajed’s comment had been well received at home and abroad. It inspired those who cherished the ideals of the Liberation War, he said.
“Leaders and activists saw a road map in what Joy said. They felt inspired to unite after defeats in five City Corporation polls had left them dejected.”
Joy, in an Iftar organised by Juba League, had said he had information that the Awami League would win the upcoming national election.
Reacting to the remark, BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi had said the comment contained an ominous hint.
The party argued that such ‘prior information’ about the Awami League’s victory betrayed its design to rig the polls.
The Awami League, however, rushed to Joy’s defence by offering an explanation about what, in its view, the Prime Minister’s son had actually meant.
In its clarification it said Joy had really meant that the Awami League would return to power if it was able to mobilize its activists again.
Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul Hanif described on Saturday the BNP’s comments as “undesired, unfortunate and reeking of political vengeance”.
Sheikh Hasina stood by her son, saying she had the results of a survey that predicted an Awami League victory.
Omar Faruk said BNP was trying to spread misinformation by citing the comment devoid of context. This was an old BNP tactic, he claimed.
The Juba League chairman highlighted various development work undertaken by present government. “Is it a crime to be optimistic about the Awami League returning to power, given these reasons?”
He said the new Bangladesh promised by Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, would have more corruption, more terror and would acquire a fierce character.
Source: Bd news24
