AL wants healthy process of democracy: Hasina
Criticising the recent “violent activities” of the opposition BNP, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Awami League wants to see a healthy and peaceful process of democracy.
“They are trying to stage various incidents… it is the government's responsibility to protect people's life and property and we will do whatever is necessary to ensure this,” she said.
Hasina, also the president of Awami League, was addressing the party's central working committee meeting at Gono Bhaban in the afternoon.
She recalled the violent activities including arson and bomb blasts allegedly carried out by BNP in Dhaka on December 18 last year. “After such incidents, BNP should not have been allowed to hold its March 12 rally in the capital.”
However, she said the government allowed them to hold the rally without interfering with their political rights.
Hasina said the government took steps so that any explosive material or illegal weapons could not be used on that day under the cover of Dhaka “siege”.
She said BNP tends to put a question mark on whatever the government does because the government is holding the trial of their (opposition's) associates on charges of war crimes, corruption and embezzling money of orphanage trust.
Referring to the opposition's return to the last session of parliament, Hasina said they came to the House to “protect their seats and salaries.” The opposition leader came to the present parliament only for seven days and spoke in the House for six days, she added.
Hasina, also the Leader of the House, deplored the vulgar words and language used by some BNP members in parliament. She said the Speaker could call in Sergeant at Arms to oust them from the House but he did not do so as he wanted them (opposition) to stay in the House.
About Bangladesh's win in the maritime boundary case against Myanmar, Hasina said although the opposition leader congratulated the government on this victory, but her party leaders are now speaking inconsistently on this issue.
She said while in power the BNP government allocated offshore blocks without demarcation of the maritime boundary. She said the verdict in the maritime case against India will be given by 2014.
Hasina said, “If people voted for Awami League in the next election, Bangladesh will also win the case against India.”
However, she said this is a win-win situation and Bangladesh's victory would not affect the bilateral ties with Myanmar.
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