PM blames US, India for her party’s defeat in 2001 [ Tritiyo Matra News ]

PM blames US, India for her party’s defeat in 2001

Local March 12, 2017

Taking a swipe at BNP for its recent anti-Indian remarks, prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday alleged that this party came to power in 2001 through giving undertaking to sell gas to India.
Addressing the national council session of Bangladesh Juba Mahila League at the auditorium of Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh in Dhaka, Hasina also said that the then agent of RAW and officials of the US embassy also passed their time at ‘Hawa Bhaban’ just before the 2001 election so that the AL could be defeated in the 2001 election and BNP grab power and thus sell gas.
‘Today, I hear them [BNP] making anti-Indian remarks....when the US company had wanted to sell gas to India just before the national election in 2001, then Khaleda Zia put BNP into power through giving undertaking of selling gas. But, I didn’t give such undertaking as I then wanted to utilise the country’s resources for the welfare of the country’s people,’ she said.
Awami League general secretary and road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader was present at the dais.
After assuming power in 1991, the prime minister said, Khaleda Zia toured India, but when journalists asked her about the Ganges water-sharing issue on her return from the neighbouring country, she replied, ‘Oh, I forgot to raise the issue.’
Hasina said the BNP chief who had earlier made many anti-Indian remarks and even joined a long march towards Farakka for Ganges water-sharing as well as waged a movement, how she could forget such an important thing? ‘So, who performs the role of lobbying?’ she asked.
‘When did actually BNP held credible elections in the country? They don’t have such history. Their history is of vote rigging, publishing additional ballot papers, stuffing ballot boxes, creating extremism, snatching vote results and selling the country’s resources to others.’ she said.
The prime minister went on saying, ‘If we see their election history, including ‘yes-no’ votes, presidential election in 1978, parliamentary election in 1979, again the 1981 presidential polls, Magura and Mirpur by-polls and 15th February JS elections in 1996, there is no free, fair and credible election in BNP’s history.’
Hasina also said the then agent of RAW and officials of the US embassy also passed their time at ‘Hawa Bhaban’ just before the 2001 election so that the AL could be defeated in the 2001 election and BNP grab power and thus sell gas.
Criticising BNP’s role during the CHT peace accord, the prime minister said the party could not gain anything from India, but now they are taking against India.
About BNP’s allegation against the government for not allowing them to take to the streets, Hasina said, ‘How’ll they do politics if they’ve so much fear to take to the streets? It’s their (BNP’s) character.’
She also urged people, including the leaders and workers of Juba Mahila League, to work together to advance the country further ahead with the spirit of the Liberation War as well as massively publicise the government’s steps towards women empowerment and women development.
Describing the history of forming Juba Mahila League on July 6 in 2002, Hasina said the aim of establishing the organisation was to create female leadership and women empowerment in the country.
Bangladesh Awami League women and children affairs secretary Fazilatunnesa Indira, Bangladesh Juba Mahila League senior vice-president Zakia Parvin Moni, its general secretary Apu Ukil, Juba Mahila League organising secretary Ishrat Jahan Nasrin spoke at the programme chaired by Bangladesh Juba Mahila League president Nazma Akhter.
Earlier, the prime minister formally inaugurated the national council through hoisting the national flag and releasing white pigeons.
A one-minute silence was observed in memory of those Juba Mahila League leaders and workers who laid down their lives in various struggles and democratic movements.
A documentary was also screened highlighting the glorious history of Awami League and Juba Mahila League in various democratic movements.
The prime minister also witnessed dance performed by female and child artistes.