Remain alert against BNP, Jamaat propaganda: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks through video conference from her official residence Gono Bhaban with expatriates living in New York City on Sunday night. Photo: PMO
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged Bangladeshi expatriates to supplement the government efforts in strengthening democracy in the country and to remain alert about the propaganda being carried out by BNP and Jamaat against the country. “You (expatriates) should remain alert about the propaganda of the BNP and Jamaat against the country,” she said. The premier said this while she was speaking through a videoconferencing from her official residence Gono Bhaban with the expatriates living in New York City on Sunday night (US time), marking the celebrations of Bangladesh's win in maritime boundary case. About the country's image, she said, “The present government has been able to restore Bangladesh's image as a democratic, progressive and secular state erasing the bad name.” PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said Awami League's New York City unit arranged the programme at Queens Palace where the mayor of New Jersey was present as the chief guest. She also called upon the Bangladeshi expatriates living in the US to project the positive image and the successes that the country achieved during the last three years of the present Awami League government. “Every sector of the country is making quick progress and our successes have brought qualitative changes in society and economy apart from improving the standard of living of people,” she added. Mentioning the intimidation of political opponents and minorities by the previous BNP government, Hasina said the global community should be aware of their repressive acts and political vengeance. The premier expressed her gratitude to expatriates for their wholehearted support to her and Awami League at the time of any crisis, particularly after August 15, 1975, and during the crucial time after January 11, 2007. She also recalled the contributions of the expatriates to the movement for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh, and extended her thanks to the expatriate citizens and exchanged greetings with them. Hasina said Bangladesh was a very potential country, and whenever Awami League had come to power it made relentless efforts to take the country forward utilising its potentials. She urged them to work for brightening the country's image abroad and highlighting its achievements in various sectors over the years. About the country's present political situation, she said the present government had taken initiatives to try the war criminals and corrupt people to make the country's development and democracy sustainable. She said BNP, in the name of a democratic movement, was out to foil the trial of war criminals and the corrupt people. But, she reiterated that their trial would surely be held even after their repeated attempts to foil it. In this context, she referred to the deterioration of law and order and torture by BNP-Jamaat activists during their 2001-2006 rule, saying that they made the country a land of terrorists and militants. Awami League's New York City unit President Commander Nurunnabi and General Secretary Emdad Chowdhury, among others, spoke on the occasion. PM's Special Assistant Abdus Sobhan Golap and Military Secretary Major General Mia Mohammad Joynul Abedin were present. Meanwhile, the mayor of New Jersey invited Hasina to visit his state at her convenient time.
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