Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) that no force has been created yet in Bangladesh that can topple the Awami League government as the root of the party is very deep.
“In Bangladesh, no force has emerged yet, which can oust the Awami League government,” she said, replying to a supplementary question from Jatiya Party lawmaker Fakhrul Imam.
Sheikh Hasina, also the president of ruling Awami League (AL), said AL is a party that wasn’t born from the pocket of any illegal power-grabber and military dictator, rather its birth was from the soil and the people of this country.
“So, our roots have deepened very much inside the soil,” she added.
The Leader of the House mentioned that Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia, Gen Ershad and Khaleda Zia tried to destroy the Awami League but failed, she said, adding: “They would never be able to do so – Inshallah.”
“When Awami League is in power, it means the government serves the people and changes the fate of the people,” she said, asking all to remember what the condition of Bangladesh was 14 years ago.
In the question, Fakhrul Imam said today is the one-eleven (political changeover in 2007) day and asked the Prime Minister if she thinks it is now time to reach a political agreement by all parties although there is no possibility that the country would witness another one-eleven like political changeover due to her witty leadership.
The Prime Minister said that those who polluted the election, utterly destroyed the electoral process, snatched away the voting rights of the people and played ducks and drakes with the fate of the people are now raising questions over the polls.
“What right do they have to raise questions (regarding election)? . .. If we analyse every election, we see that the people can vote peacefully as only Awami League is in power,” she said.
She added that the people vote for Awami League spontaneously because they know Awami League keeps the promises whatever it makes. “We keep our word.”
The Prime Minister said that they can say as much as they can do and ensure service for the people after doing it. “It is the Awami League.”
She said BNP didn’t join the 2014 general election as the party knew that they secured only 30 seats in the 2008 election and the country witnessed an unprecedented development due to the steps taken by the grand alliance government.
“So, the people bestowed their trust and confidence on us and voted for us. They (BNP) boycotted the election,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that BNP apparently stood aside from the 2018 election midway due to nomination business and tried to make the polls questionable.
“They have been able to make it questionable by carrying out different campaigns and propaganda . . . But the people still have trust and confidence in the Awami League,” she added.
Pointing at Fakhrul Imam, Sheikh Hasina said there is nothing to be fearful. “Don’t be scared. We’re still here (in power). There is nothing to be worried about,” she added.
In reply to another supplementary question from AL lawmaker Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu, the premier said the government would take tougher action, if necessary, against the hoarders of commodities and black marketers in order to ease the sufferings of consumers.
She said the matter is really unfortunate here in Bangladesh that the businessmen try to enhance the commodity prices anyhow during the holy Month of Ramadan and other festivals when their demands go higher. But in other countries, the prices of commodities are always reduced during any festivals, she said.
She said that the businessmen are dilly-dallying in importing commodities in many cases as they want to make profit by increasing the prices and demand of goods. “It is inhumane,” she added.
“We’re taking proper actions against the hoarders, black-marketers and those who are engaged in LC-related anomalies. . . If needed, we’ll take tougher actions and we will pay special attention so that people won’t suffer,” she asserted.
Responding to another supplementary question from AL lawmaker Ahasanul Islam (Titu), the Prime Minister said the government is taking steps to ensure proper supply of commodities during the upcoming Ramadan.
“We want the people of our country not to suffer during Ramadan,” she said.
She said the government has made arrangements to open LCs for importing essential consumer goods from different countries, adding that there is no problem in opening LCs for importing food items at proper prices.
Answering another query from Gonoforum lawmaker Mukabbir Khan, the PM outright rejected the allegations of corruption in various mega projects and threw a challenge to place clear statistics - where and how much money was lost due to corruption.
“The allegations he raised are completely baseless. . . I am throwing a challenge to the lawmaker. He will have to say clearly here about where and what amount (of money) was lost due to corruption and I will answer to those,” she said.
Mukabbir in his question raised allegations of corruption in mega projects and quick rental power plants.
Source: BSS