Keep war criminals, killers, looters out of power: PM

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged the people of the country to remain united so that war criminals, killers, looters and corrupt people could not assume power anymore.
‘I urge the people to remain aware against the war criminals, killers and looters who embezzled money meant for orphans, so that they cannot assume power anymore,’ she said at a rally at historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.
Chanting slogans and carrying banners, tens of hundreds of people from the capital and adjacent districts started gathering at the venue since morning.
The ruling Awami League organised the rally marking the historic speech the country’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered on this ground on March 7, 1971.
In his clarion call, Mujib directed freedom-loving Bengalis to wage a decisive struggle against the Pakistani rulers.
Hasina, also the Awami League president, accused vested interests for carrying out hectic efforts to erase the March 7 speech from the history.
‘Once, playing of the
March 7 speech was forbidden in the country. But the recognition of the speech by ENESCO is the revenge of history,’ she said, adding that no speech of the world had been aired for such a large number of times.
She also called on the people to make the AL victorious for the continuation of the ongoing development.
‘Awami League works for the betterment of the country and the people. Our target is to develop the fate of the people,’ she said.
Hasina alleged that the previous governments of Ziaur Rahman, HM Ershad and Khaleda Zia did not develop the country.
Mentioning her government’s development activities, she said ‘The country is going to be recognised as a developing nation soon. Why did the governments of Zia, Ershad and Khaleda fail to develop the country in such a manner?’
Hinting at the Bangladesh Nationalist Party top leadership, the AL president said that it was reported that Zia left nothing for his family.
‘After assuming office, Khaleda Zia made fortune through corruption. They also laundered money abroad. The incidents of siphoning off the money were noticed in the courts in the United States and Singapore,’ she said, adding that her government brought back the money.
Directing AL activists to project the success stories among the people, she said that AL failed to assume office in 2001 because of her denial of exporting natural gas.
‘A process for extracting gas was on before the 2001 elections. Conspiracies were hatched again us as we did not agree to sell the gas. We could not assume power as we put importance on the interest of the people,’ she said.
The prime minister also urged the people to stand against extremism, violence and drugs.
‘We have to work together to save the youth from extremism, violence and drugs,’ she said.
AL presidium member Sajeda Chowdhury said that Sheikh Mujib was the uncrowned leader of the Bengalis.
‘He was the supreme leader in the war of independence. He organised the movement before the liberation war,’ she said.
Bashing BNP, AL advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu, also the industries minister, alleged that BNP leaders were involved in various conspiracies to foil the next general election.
‘But the election will be held under the incumbent government on time,’ he said, adding that the people would resist any evil move of thwarting the polls.
 Another advisory council member Tofail Ahmed, also the commerce minister, said that a new country named Bangladesh was born after the historic March 7 speech.
‘The country is moving forward to have the economic emancipation under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina,’ he said.
Agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury called on the people to support AL in next general election for the continuation of the development.
Presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim criticised late president Ziaur Rahman for setting up children park at the historic ground.
‘He did it as part of a conspiracy,’ he said.
Presidium member Mohammad Nasim said that the people would cast their vote for AL for the continuation of the development of the country.
Another presidium member Muhammad Faruk Khan said that the post-75 governments tried to erase the March 7 speech from the history.
Sahara Khatun, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Mirza Azam, Dhaka south city mayor Sayeed Khokan, city AL leaders Abul Hasnat, AKM Rahmatullah and others also spoke at the rally.
Poet Nirmalendu Goon rendered his poem written on March 7 while publicity and publication secretary Hasan Mahmud and cultural secretary Ashim Kumar Ukil conducted the meeting. 

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net