Stay alert about BNP's move to play foul with people's voting rights: PM
Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina today reiterated her call to the nation to stay alert against any move to destroy the electoral system, saying that the BNP again wants to play foul with the people's voting rights and destroy the country.
"Election is not their (BNP's) concern as they are again out to play ducks and drakes with the voting rights of the people," she said.
She was addressing as the chief guest the "largest-ever student rally" organised by the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan marking the National Mourning Day and 48th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, reports BSS.
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The premier also asked BCL members to remain alert to thwart any conspiracy to obstruct the progress of Bangladesh, reports UNB.
"My Chhatra League boys and girls will be leaders of the 2041 Smart Bangladesh. I expect it from you. Bangladesh won't stand still in 2041. I have formulated the Delta Plan-2100. So, none could obstruct the progress of Bangladesh anymore. Chhatra League will have to stay awake like sentinels," she said.
The rally was organised in memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib on Friday (1 September).
Addressing the event, Sheikh Hasina also asked the BCL activists to carry out their study and follow the Chhatra League's main principle – education, peace and progress.
She directed BCL members to ensure that no land is left uncultivated in the country and to keep their respective educational institutions clean.
70% of people want to vote for Sheikh Hasina: Quader
Earlier, addressing the rally, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader said 70% of the people of the country are looking forward to voting for Sheikh Hasina. So conspiracies are being hatched to get rid of her.
"Sheikh Hasina is the most popular Bangladeshi leader in the last 48 years. The country is developing today. Padma Bridge, Metro Rail [has been built]," he said while addressing a rally organised by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), student wing of AL, at Suhrawardi Udyan in memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib on Friday (1 September).
"70% of the people of the country are looking forward to voting for Sheikh Hasina. So conspiracies are being hatched to get rid of her," said Quader, who is also the minister of road transport and bridges.
Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina attended the rally at 3.42pm on Friday.
Referring to opposition parties' demand for a polls-time caretaker government, the AL general secretary said, "We will not allow another unusual 1/11 like caretaker government to be formed in the country."
He continued, "[The opposition] has called on their foreign guardians to remove Sheikh Hasina. Also demanding a caretaker government if necessary! Caretaker [government] has been abolished on the order of the court."
Calling on activists of AL and BCL, Quader said, "The game will be played to save democracy and the Liberation War. Get ready. Not much time is left before the election."
Lauding Sheikh Hasina, the AL general secretary said, "Bangladesh is now a developing country. Would that happen without Sheikh Hasina? We have to think about the country's situation 15 years ago and how it is now. A massive transformation has taken place. The designer of this transformation is Bangabandhu and Bangamata's daughter Sheikh Hasina.
"So many conspiracies are being hatched today. People are looking forward to voting for Sheikh Hasina. [The BNP] is trying to get her out of the election by conspiring as they know they won't be able to defeat in the election.
"[They said] the Padma Bridge would break down if people stepped into it.. Their hearts are burning. BNP is burning. Tarique Rahman is burning."
Referring to BNP's founding anniversary, Quader said, "On 1 September 1978, Ziaur Rahman gave birth to his BNP and said on that occasion, today I pledge to make a brotherly state like Pakistan."
"They wanted to erase Bangabandhu and 15 August [assassinations] by cutting a fake birthday cake [marking Khaleda Zia's birthday]"
Quader said, "Today, standing at the BCL rally in this historic Suhrawardy Udyan, I say that no one has been able to erase Bangabandhu even after 48 years of his blood-soaked death"
No compromise with killers: BCL president
Meanwhile, presiding over the programme, BCL President Saddam Hussein said his organisation will not make any compromise with killers.
Speaking about BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, "As the wildlife belongs in the wild, Tarique Rahman belongs in jail."
He also said, "Those who write history with ulterior motives, have tried to hide the sacrifice of Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib."
Also speaking on the occasion, BCL General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan said his organisation will continue working to make the ruling Awami League victorious in the next parliamentary election.
"Boat is the sign of youth. The activists of Chhatra League are on the street. Keeping the march of youth at the front, BCL will work to make Awami League victorious in the next election under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said.
Thousands of BCL leaders and activists joined the grand rally through three gates near Kali Temple, Bangla Academy and TSC. Additional members of police have been deployed in nearby areas. Besides patrolling, they are searching everyone before letting them into the venue.
