Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said from the very beginning BNP had an evil intention to make the last
general election questionable despite their participation in the polls.
“Though BNP had taken part in the election, they always had an intention
to make the polls questionable as their popularity dropped into the lowest
level and had no chance to win the electoral race,” she said.
The prime minister said this while addressing a reception accorded to her
by expatriate Bangladeshi nationals here last night.
The prime minister in her maiden overseas visit after assuming office last
month for the fourth time arrived in Munich on Thursday to attend a security
conference.
Pointing out the reasons of colossal defeat of BNP in the last general
election, the prime minister said BNP won only 28 seats in the 2008 general
election and none had raised question about the acceptance of that election.
“How they expect better results than 2008 even after committing mayhem in
the name of political movement over the last few years,” she said adding that
people didn’t forget the terrorist activities of BNP which they unlashed
across the country in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
BNP was not sincere to win the election as it sensed it’s defeat, which was
the reality, she said.
“Khaleda Zia is convicted for swallowing orphans fund and Tarique Zia is
convicted for smuggling 10-truck arms and ammunition as well as for grenade
attack. So, the big question is why people would give them vote in the
election.” she said.
Moreover, BNP fielded many Jamaat-e-Islami leaders giving them ‘Paddy
Sheaf’, the electoral symbol of BNP, which was also a major cause of losing
public support in the election, Sheikh Hasina said.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, president of All European Awami League
Anil Dasgupta and president of UK chapter of Awami League Sultan Mahmud
Sharif also spoke on the occasion conducted by Bangladesh ambassador in
Germany Imteaz Ahmed.
Leaders of different chapters of Awami League in European countries
greeted the prime minister presenting bouquets.
Sheikh Hasina said BNP could not make it clear to the people who would be
their prime minister and who form the government if they win the election.
Sheikh Hasina also blamed BNP’s nomination trade as one of the major reason
for their debacle in the election saying BNP had given nomination to at least
three or more persons in every constituency.
BNP was more critical about Awami League in the election campaign instead
of making people aware of their future plan. But, people of Bangladesh better
know what Awami League have done for them, the prime minister said.
Sheikh Hasina said Awami League has given people better life. During the
tenure of Awami League, monthly income of the people has been increased and
they are living in peace. Their living standard is getting improved day by
day, which people can understand.
On the other hand, the prime minister said, “We have given importance on
our future plan, giving focus on how we want to see our country in future.
Our past development works are very much visible to the people and we have
furnished our future plan in our election manifesto.”
Awami League has earned independence and established the people’s right to
speak in mother tongue, the premier said, adding Bangladesh would go ahead
and none would be able to dominate it as Awami League is now working for
economic emancipation of the country.
Now, BNP and their ally Okiyo Front are trying to make the December 30
election questionable and filed cases at seven places, the prime minister
said, adding as per election law they can file case in the election tribunal
and Awami has no objection to it.
The corruption of BNP leaders are being exposed slowly by US intelligence
and Canada and their documents are the main evidences of the lawsuits filed
against Khaleda Zia and her son,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said, “Expatriate Bangladeshis were always with us in all
movements and helped us in the struggle to establish political rights and
country’s economic progress.”
She also recalled the role of expatriates in the protest against the
brutal killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
A large number of Awami League leaders and workers from Australia, Belgium,
Denmark, UK, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Scotland, Romania, Bulgaria,
America, Switzerland as well as Germany arrived in Munich to greet the prime
minister.
The prime minister extended her gratitude to the expatriates for their
dedicated service to brighten the positive image of Bangladesh abroad and
build up positive opinion in country’s interests.
Sheikh Hasina said people of every class and section cast their vote
spontaneously for Awami League in the last general election that led the
party to its landslide victory.
Rural and urban people, business community, youths and women cast their
vote for Awami League with a hope to take the country forward to prosperity
as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
People have much expectation that the country would gain development if
Awami League remains in power and everybody would enjoy the benefit of the
development, she said.
About the participation of BNP in the last polls under the banner of Oikyo
Front, the prime minister said as the head of the government she sat with as
many as 70 political parties for dialogue.
The prime minister said the highest number of political parties of the
country took part in the election and over 80 percent voters have exercised
their franchise which was never seen before.
Sheikh Hasina said people didn’t cast their vote for BNP as their role in
unbridled corruption has been exposed. They ruled the country for many years
after the brutal killing of Bangabandhu, but could give nothing to the people
except killing, military coups, misrule, corruption, money laundering and
nepotism.
Sheikh Hasina said the military rulers after 1975 could give nothing to the
people except murder of Awami League leaders and workers, coups in the armed
forces, misrule, corruption, money laundering and nepotism.
Pointing out the unbridled corruption of BNP leaders during their rule,
the prime minister said it was not Awami League government, but US
intelligence unearthed their corruption.
And, it was not also Awami League, but caretaker government who lodged
lawsuits against Khaleda Zia on charge of corruption. Most of the main actors
of the past caretaker government were loyal to BNP, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh would prosper as Bangabandhu had nourished
his dream with this country.
“As the daughter of Bangabandhu I know his vision and plan to build
Bangladesh as a prosperous nation,” she said.
The prime minister thanked the expatriates who were in the country during
election time to take part in the campaign in favor of Awami League
candidates, she said.
Sheikh Hasina urged the expatriate nationals to come forward with investment in the Special Economic Zones saying there would have special offer for the expatriates.
(BSS)
