Stubbornness to put AL existence at stake, she says
Bashing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her remarks that there will be no retreat from their stance over the caretaker-government issue, opposition leader Khaleda Zia on Monday warned that the ruling party’s existence will be at stake if it sticks to its guns.
“The Prime Minister yesterday (Sunday) talked tall that she won’t move even by a hair breadth from her stance. The hair will be moving in the blowing wind. People will wage such a windy movement the hair will get tussled puzzling you,” she said.
Khaleda continued: “Shun stubbornness, or else, you won’t only lose your hair but you’ll also get your existence shaken under the pressure of people’s movement.”
The BNP chief came up with the sharp reaction to the Prime Minister’s remarks while addressing a public rally arranged at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital marking the 33rd founding anniversary of Swechchhasebak Dal.
At a press conference on Sunday, Sheikh Hasina rejected outright the opposition demand for restoration of the caretaker government system and said her government would not budge an inch from the constitutional provision in holding the next general election.
“Everything will be done as per the constitution, and there’ll be no budge even an inch from the constitutional provision,” she said.
Khaleda Zia said, “You’ll have to suffer in the future if you don’t restore the caretaker government system in time. Then we’ll have nothing to do.”
Observing that the one-party polls will not be acceptable, the opposition leader said, “We’ve a very small demand… And the demand is to restore caretaker government system in the constitution, whatever its name may be.”
The former premier said the provision of caretaker government system was not in the constitution in 1996. “We incorporated in it thinking welfare of the people of the country and democracy. Since then, the national election has been held under the system in an acceptable manner.”
Mentioning that her party does not want to wage any movement, Khaleda said they want to create a congenial atmosphere for the next election through discussions.
“Still, there is time…parliament will go into its session. You have the majority in the House. So, place the caretaker government bill and restore it to the constitution paving the way for holding a free and fair election.”
Khaleda asked the Prime Minister why does she show her fear of an un-constitutional government, minus two formula and going to jail? “I had told I would not leave country. You’d fled the country and compromised with the Fakhruddin-Moeenuddin unconstitutional government. I don’t have any such fear.”
The BNP chief warned the Prime Minister that if any unwarranted situation emerges due to the stubbornness of the current regime it will have to bear all responsibilities for it.
She claimed that she has information about the corruption of the ruling party men. “I’ve all the information about corruption by your family, ministers and advisers. I’ll send you all the documents if want to have that.”
“How will you save them?” Khaleda asked the PM saying, “Nothing will happen to me. You and your people have indulged in theft. You’ll have to be punished.”
Khaleda, however, said her party wants to work with all, including the ruling party, for the betterment of the country and continuation of the democratic process.
During her around 45-minute long address, the former premier also described the country’s latest political situation, government’s failures and her plans for the development of the country and its people if her party returns to power.
She was critical of Prime Minister’s desperate attitude and asked Sheikh Hasina not to speak so loud and show arrogance as it may cause damage to her.
“Getting isolated from people, The Prime Minister is now speaking louder to refresh her upset party leaders and activists. In fact, she is doing all these things out of fear that people won’t spare them if they leave power,” she added.
Khaleda reiterated that her party, if voted to power, will form a new type of government and introduce a new style in politics. “We’ll do politics with all, including Awami League, putting an end to the politics of division.”
Khaleda’s long address dominated her promises to ensure welfare of the country and its people if her party comes to power through the next polls.
“We’ll announce our election manifesto in the days to come. If we return to power, we’ll free the administration from politicisation and build it based on merits, generate employment.”
Khaleda said they will reform the quota system so that talented youths can get government jobs. “We’ll provide jobs based on merits.”
About relations with foreign countries, she said they will pursue the policy of friendship to all but will not accept dominance by any country.
She promised that they will formulate a new agriculture policy, increase facilities for farmers, take initiatives for resolving power crisis, increase gas supply and production, develop education and communications sectors, expand ICT, create jobs for youths and women, establish the rule of law, stimulate the economy, increase foreign investment, develop the RMG sector, create skilled manpower for export, introduce high speed train service and build two Padma bridges.
Chaired by Swechchhasebak Dal President Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, the programme was addressed by, among others, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Tariqul Islam and Mirza Abbas.
She criticised the government for arresting Odhikar secretary Adilur Rahman Khan for what she said publishing the truth, and demanded his immediate release.
Khaleda alleged that the government did not properly distribute the huge amount of money they raised for the Rana Plaza victims. “You’ll have to accountable for what reason you spent the money.”
She further alleged that around 5,000 RMG factories were shut down under the present government and Tk 50,0000 crore siphoned off abroad.
“The character of the Awami League is to plunder public money, kill and make people disappear and cling to power using muscle power,” Khaleda said adding that the ruling party could not implement any of its election pledges as it only deceived people.
Source: UNB Connect
