Hasina said there was no question of installing any 'unconstitutional forces', meaning she was unwilling to accept the Opposition demand for a non-party polls-time dispensation.
"We have compromised a lot. I called her. I thought I should be compromising. But she (Khaleda Zia) doesn't want an election," Hasina said on Saturday at the anniversary ceremony of Awami League's youth affiliate Juba League at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.
The Prime Minister said that the next polls will be a free and fair one.
"How many ministries do you want? We can even give you the home ministry if you want. Come and join the polls," she said addressing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Last week, the Election Commission had announced Jan 5 for the 10th national election, which the Opposition greeted with countrywide blockades.
At least 20 people were killed during the blockade last week.
"She (Khaleda) has nothing called humanity within her. She has gone mad for power," said the Prime Minister criticising the arson during Opposition's blockade.
“They can try what they want, but won’t be able to thwart the polls. No unconstitutional force will come to power.”
The BNP-led 18-Party alliance had enforced a 71-hour nationwide blockade from last Tuesday rejecting the schedule for the 10th national polls.
It on Friday called another 72-hour blockade of roads, railways and waterways from 6am on Saturday protesting cases against senior BNP leaders and denial of permission to hold a rally.
The Prime Minister at the function on Saturday urged the Opposition to stop arson and vandalism.
“She [Khaleda] doesn’t want the people to live in peace. She wants them to live in chaos.”
The Awami League President also called asked the leaders and activists of Juba League across the country to stay active and resist the saboteurs.
Addressing the senior BNP leaders, she said, “You are continuing the movement while hiding. [You are] hiring goons and burning people.”
“Come down on the streets. Then we will see who is stronger.”
Hasina said the opposition movement was aimed at saving the 1971 war criminals.
She also questioned Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia celebrating her birthday on Aug 15.
“She celebrates on the day I mourn,” Hasina said reminiscing the assassination of most of family members including her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Aug 15, 1975.
Addressing her arch political rival, the Prime Minister said, “The election in 2006 did not take place even when a caretaker government was in power. Still she wants a caretaker.”
About civil society leaders, she said, “Many were [caretaker government] advisors before, and now they issues statement.”
“They resigned after failing to hold the elections in 2006. Now these unsuccessful people are making recommendations and meeting the President.”
Ganaforum President Kamal Hossain alongwith some civil society leaders had led a delegation to meet President Abdul Hamid recently urging him to resolve the ongoing political crisis.
A book titled ‘Statesman Sheikh Hasina's Struggle for Democracy’ based on the chronicles of life and struggles of the Prime Minister since 1981, was published at 41st founding anniversary programme of Juba League.
Awami League Advisory Council member Amir Hossain Amu, former Juba League chairmen Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddiqui also addressed the gathering while Juba League Chairman Omar Faruk Chowdhury presided over it.
Eight persons including media personalities, players and social workers were honoured at the function for their contributions to the society.
These eight are late Rafiqul Islam for his pioneering role in earning recognition of February 21 as the International Mother Language Day, noted film maker Nasiruddin Yusuf Bachchu, cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim, golfer Siddiqur Rahman, Nafiz Bin Jafar, a Oscar winner Bangladeshi software engineer who lives in the United States, and Shahna Begum.
No comments:
Post a Comment