Hasina blames govt for 'Ruining' economy

Activists of the Awami Sechchhasebak League attend their first council in processions yesterday, clogging the city roads with traffic during rush hours. The council was held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. Photo: STAR

"The present government marred the previous Awami League (AL) rule's stable economy with wrong policies," the AL chief said.

Addressing the inaugural session of Awami Sechchhasebak League's council in the city, Hasina said the government failed to secure people's life and curb price hike of essentials.

Alleging that the coalition government has made the country a 'prison', she said people are passing days in panic due to the government's 'vindictive politics'.

She said the country has become a safe haven for thieves, dacoits and criminals.

She urged all to unite to free the country from 'tyranny' of the government.

Hasina urged the prime minister (Khaleda Zia) to return the two houses that she got from the state after the killing of Ziaur Rahman.

"They took the property from the state on the ground that they were indigent during the time," Hasina said.

"But now they have lots of money and should return the property to the state," the AL chief added.

Dubbing the prime minister's family as the richest in the country, she asked the PM to return the cantonment residence to the army and Gulshan residence to the government.

On Bogra ammunition haul, the opposition leader said the government is yet to form an international body to probe the matter to unearth the sources of the ammunition and their destination.

The opposition leader alleged that the government failed to take up any new development projects while Tk 1,000 crore from the public exchequer was misused on 'goat (rearing) economy'. She said the government also plundered another Tk 11,000 crore from last two development budgets.

Senior leaders of the party were also present at the programme.