Nothing undemocratic to be allowed: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks at a May Day rally organised by Jatiya Sramik League on the playground of Telephone Shilpa Sangstha Limited at Tongi. Photo: PMO
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the country will be run democratically and nothing undemocratic will be allowed. “We do believe in constitutional power…the country belongs to people and it will be run democratically…nothing undemocratic will be allowed,” she warned. Hasina was addressing a workers' rally organised by Jatiya Sramik League on the playground of Telephone Shilpa Sangstha Limited at Tongi in the afternoon, marking May Day. Speaking as the chief guest, Hasina said the government is working sincerely so that people of the country can live with dignity and lead a better life. “This country does not want alms…we will have to stand on our own feet with our own efforts. Bangladesh must be built as a self-reliant and prosperous country. “With this goal in mind, we will observe the Golden Jubilee of the country's independence in 2021,” she said. Taking a shot at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Hasina said the black money she (Khaleda) whitened by paying fines belong to the country's people, including farmers and workers. “You (Khaleda) misappropriated the money of orphans. Those who stole the money of orphans will be punished both in this world and hereafter.” Accusing the BNP-Jamaat coalition government of turning the country into a haven for terrorism and militancy during its rule, Hasina warned that all forms of terrorism will be dealt with a strong hand. “Nobody will be allowed to play with the fate of the country's people.” She said killing and ballot snatching were the common features in elections during the BNP-Jamaat rule. “Some 5,175 different elections were held under the present government. All the polls were held in a free, fair and creditable manner as people cast their votes without trouble,” she said. Hasina said the opposition leader vowed that all the works of her government would be scrapped if BNP comes to power in the next general election. “We have also won the maritime boundary case over Myanmar and increased wages of RMG (ready made garment) workers. Will she scrap those works?” Referring to the recent violence during BNP's countrywide shutdowns, she said killing people is the nature of BNP's politics. “They killed a bus driver while he was asleep in his vehicle. A total of 17 workers were killed during their regime. Their hands are stained with the blood of farmers, workers and students. “When Awami League assumes power, it gives something to people. Despite the global economic meltdown, we distributed rice among the poor at fair prices and open market sale (OMS) to make it affordable,” she said. Hasina said the ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate exams were delayed due to the hartals. “What is your problem with education…do you not want the students to continue their education?” Listing the steps taken by her government for the welfare of the downtrodden, she said now farmers can open a bank account at Tk 10. “We have also raised the minimum wage of RMG worker to Tk 3,000, are providing allowances to widows, elderly people and freedom fighters and distributing free textbooks.” She said her government formed the Education Assistance Fund so that poor students can avail assistance for higher education. On employment, Hasina said the government already reopened eight out of 18 jute mills and the remaining ones will be reopened soon. She said the government also took initiatives to set up special economic zones in the country's seven divisions. “We have created 68 lakh jobs, including 4.5 lakh in the public sector, during the last three years.” Hasina announced to upgrade the Telephone Shilpa Sangstha grounds into a stadium and Tongi municipality into a city corporation. LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, State Minister for LGRD Jahangir Kabir Nanak, lawmakers Advocate Rahmat Ali and Jahid Hasan Russel, Gazipur District AL President Mozammel Haque and Tongi Mayor Advocate Azmatullah Khan also spoke at the rally.
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