15th amendment reestablished Liberation War spirit, she says
Seeking support from the left parties to strengthen democracy in the country, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the continuation of a democratic process is the burning issue right now considering the national and international contexts.
“We want to continue the democratic system and process in the country,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the ruling Awami League, said this while delivering her introductory speech in a views-exchange meeting with the leaders of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Bangladesher Samajtanrik Dal (BSD) at her official residence Ganobhaban.
Terming the left parties — CPB and BSD — as the long-term allies of the ruling party in its struggle for establishing democracy in the country, Hasina sought their continued support.
The AL president also sought the cooperation of all in continuing the democratic process in the country as it was obstructed several times after Bangladesh’s independence.
Hasina said the spirit of the Liberation War and democratic process had diminished from the country after the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The premier said the politics of killing, coup and conspiracy that started after the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman could be removed only through the establishment of a democratic process in the country.
The AL chief said after obtaining the overwhelming majority in the last general election, the government amended the Constitution and ensured the sustenance of democracy in the country.
Sheikh Hasina said the government reestablished the spirit of the Liberation War in the country through the 15th amendment to the Constitution.
Talking about the trial of the war criminals, the PM mentioned that it was the election pledge of her party to hold the trial of war criminals and verdicts in some cases have been pronounced. “The verdicts in some other cases will be pronounced soon,” she said.
Recalling the horrible days during the army-backed caretaker government, she mentioned that one army person, ‘Ameen’, from DGFI used to come to her with an offer that she would be allowed to enjoy the status Prime Minister but would not be able to participate in the election. “But I rejected that offer and demanded immediate election,” she said.
Turning to the BDR mutiny, Hasina said the trial of the mutineers has completed while that of the killers will complete soon. “The sphere of this case is vast because of the number of the accused and that’s why it takes time to write the verdict,” she added.
CPB president Mujahidul Islam Selim, BSD general secretary Khalequzzaman, CPB adviser Monjurul Ahsan Khan, CPB general secretary Syed Abu Jafar Ahmed were, among others, present at the meeting.
AL leaders Matia Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Mohammad Nasim, Syed Ashraful Islam and Obaidul Kader also attended the meeting.
Source: UNB Connect
