Asserting that her government will continue its drive against militancy, terrorism, drugs and corruption Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked the people to remain vigilant against the evils.
“Our drive against militancy, terrorism, drugs and corruption will be continued. All of you must remain cautious regarding this matter,” she said.
The prime minister was addressing a huge public rally at TT High School ground at Bhangar Haat in Kotalipara upazila here.
She also asked all guardians to remain alert so that their children don't get involved with drugs and militancy.
With Kotalipara upazila unit AL president Bhabendra Nath Biswas in the chair the rally was addressed among others by AL presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim And AL general secretary Obaidul Quader.
Kotalipara upazila unit AL Aynal Hossain conducted the rally.
Earlier, the PM inaugurated 43 development projects and laid foundation stones of another five in Kotalipara.
She came down heavily on a section of people who often compare Awami League and BNP on the same scale.
“Some people compare Awami League with BNP, some say two parties,” she said.
She mentioned that in 2008 election, BNP and its 20-party alliance got only 30 seats out of 300 while AL-led grand alliance won the rest.
“Then how can these two parties be same?” She questioned.
She said that during the BNP regime there were militancy, terrorism, grenade attacks, bomb blasts in 500 places, while it became champions in corruption for five times.
“They did not give anything to people, they just looted people’s ’ money," she asserted.
She said that BNP does not comply with their own party constitution.
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In this connection, she mentioned that as per the constitution of BNP the convicted criminals can not lead the party.
“Why does BNP fails to get some one who is not convicted to be their leader?,” she wondered.
She said that BNP is being led by Khaleda Zia and her son who both are convicted criminals.
“They do not obey their own party constitution, country’s law, and how that party can be compared with Awami League,” she said.
She said that those who often mention ‘two big parties’ are making mistakes.
She said that AL is the organisation of the people of Bangladesh.
“This party has been formed in the struggle to realise the rights of the people of this country, and that's why when AL comes to power the country sees development, “ she said.
On the other hand, she said, parties like BNP, Jatiya Party and Jamaat lack that credentials.
“Zia grabbed the power illegally through violating the constitution, there is a verdict of the higher court,” she said.
She recalled that BNP is the party that was formed by Gen Ziaur Rahman while staying in power by grabbing it illegally and bribing some people.
“They never wanted the good and welfare of the people,” she said.
In this regard, she mentioned that BNP set people on fire, play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people.
“So, there is no way to compare Awami League with them (BNP),” she said.
She said that Awami League is the organisation of this country’s land and people. It works for the welfare of the people.
“We (Awami League) have attained the independence under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The results of the independence is reaching every door and it will continue this way,” she said.
Hasina thanked the people of her constituency (Tungiara-Kotaliara) for always standing beside her though she can’t go to them regularly like other lawmakers as she has to oversee 300 parliamentary seats and their overall socioeconomic developments.
“I express my gratitude to you (Tungipara-Kotalipara people) as you always feel for me from your hearts. I get the love and affection of my father, mother and brothers from you people after losing them,” she said.
Briefly describing her government's measures for the development of Gopalganj, she said it used to take 24 hours to reach Kotalipara through waterways from Dhaka, but it now takes a few hours to reach here.
The premier said her government has built the Padma Bridge with its own funds after overcoming many challenges that include corruption allegations. She reiterated that they have come to power to improve the fate of the people instead of making their own fortunes through corruption.
Hasina said she is out to give the people a beautiful and improved life by transforming the country into a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh, free from hunger and poverty as envisioned by Bangabandhu.
Spelling out various measures taken by her government for ensuring overall development of the country, she said they have increased the education rate by establishing schools and colleges in every upazila alongside computer and digital labs, reached healthcare services to people's doorsteps by setting up community clinics, giving various allowances to the people under the social safety net programmes and giving houses to every landless and homeless people.
The prime minister said that the government is determined to maintain law and order to ensure safety and security of the citizens alongside carrying out the country’s socio-economic advancement.
She once again asked the people to bring every inch of fallow land under cultivation to grow their food as the ongoing global economic recession and food crisis can hit Bangladesh too.