Govt that can't feed the people should step down: Hasina

People no longer want this government which plunders national property while people starve, Hasina said while addressing wayside meetings at Nilphamari Sadar, Domar, Dimla, Jaldhaka and Kishoreganj upazilas of Nilphamari district yesterday.

Hasina is on a four-day tour of Nilphamari, Kurigram, Gaibandha and Rangpur, four of the northern districts affected by monga, a famine-like situation.

She said the BNP-led coalition government has turned the country, which attained self-sufficiency in food during the 'golden era' of the previous Awami League rule, into a monga-affected nation.

"After Nizami (former agriculture minister) took control (of the agriculture ministry), we have seen a fall in food production, which we doubled during our time," she told the meetings attended by a large number of people.

As Hasina's motorcade passed through the areas, thousands of people lined up the roads to greet her. She made several stops on the way to inquire about their welfare.

She told them that the AL will stand by their side in times of need. She also urged the rich to help the poor and directed her party workers to stand by the distressed and starving populace.

Awami League presidium member Motia Chowdhury, central leaders Sultan Mohammad Monsur, Dr Mostafa Jalil Mohiuddin, SM Kamal Hossain, Pankaj Devnath, local MP and AL Publicity Secretary Asaduzzaman Noor and Hamida Banu Shobha MP accompanied Sheikh Hasina.

Later, Hasina left for Rangpur.