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Time is running out, Khaleda warns govt

BNP announces rail, road barricade on Oct 5

By Staff Correspondent
BNP has announced a series of agitation programmes including a rail and road barricade programme across the country on October 5.
Party chief Begum Khaleda Zia announced the fresh programmes at a huge public rally at Naya Paltan in the city yesterday afternoon. The rally was organised as part of BNP's countrywide protest da/ to press the party's various demands.
Tne meeting was held defying the Dhaka City Corporation's ban on holding rallies on the streets.
At the rally. Begum Zia called upon the government to be cautious about the "horrifying situation" in the country before time runs out.
Otherwise, she warned, it (the government) won't continue in power for long. "None WJbbe able to protect the government that has proved to be inefficient, bankrupt and liar."
The BNP demands include withdrawal of the increased prices of fuel, power and agricultural inputs, halting repression on the opposition ac-
tivists. release of all party leaders and workers and withdrawal of false cases against them, neutrality in running parliament, restoration of the name of Zia International Airport, introduction of voters' identity cards, salvaging the economy and cancellation of all conspiratorial' treaties with India.
Other programmes announced yesterday include mass
contact at the thana level from tomorrow to September 27; Erotest march at every thana in >haka and other divisional headquarters on September 25; demonstration in all thanas of the country on September 28 and street agitation in all divisional and district headquarters on September 30.
Addressing the huge public meeting the leader of the opposition in Jatiya Sangsad censured the Awami League government for 'totally neglecting' national interests and 'only serving a neighbouring country which, she said, graced the party by bringing it to power.
"A government devoid of love for the country and its people can't be allowed to stay in power. That's why. the people nave launched agitation against it." she told the cheering crowd. ..
The Opposition leader said the national economy is on the "verge of ruination" because of misrule and might collapse any moment.
Blaming the government for Jeopardising" the country's sovereignty by selling out all national Interests to India. Begum Zia alleged They're acting to turn the country into a vassal state. No such intrigues will be allowed to succeed. We can't sit idle when our independence is at stake because we earned independence through a bloody struggle. "
In her 28-minute speech. Begum Zia dwelt on all major Issues of national interest and castigated the 15-month-old government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for its "failure in all sectors. "
Blasting the authorities for not granting permission to her party to hold yesterday's public meeting on the road adjacent to the BNP central office, she said the government spoke of democracy but denied democratic rights to its opponents.
In this context, the BNP chief demanded immediate withdrawal of the ban on public gathering around Baitul Mokarram Mosque. Otherwise, she warned, the people would defy the ban just as they did in holding yesterday’s meeting.
Earlier, the Dhaka City Corporation denied the BNP permission to hold the meeting on the street and urged the party to use any of the venues it (DCC) had selected for the purpose. The DCC decision was announced last week to "avoid traffic congestion". BNP protested the decision.
The authorities, however, did not obstruct BNP in holding the meeting on the street, the first such programme since the DCC decision was announced.
The former prime minister charged the ruling party with politicising the administration and using the police for party interests. The sincere police officials. unwilling to carry out illegal orders, are either being transferred or suspended", she said and announced that such police officials would be reinstated once her party returned to power.
Begum Zia accused the AL government of telling lies frequently about its performance, its election pledges and the rule by the previous BNP government.
Elaborating, she said, the ruling party begged people's apology before the elections for its past misdeeds and promised not to repeat those if voted to power But. she added, returning to power through a rigged elec tion, It had started the same old practice of working against the Interests of the people.
Reminding AL's election pledge to ensure price of Jute at Tk 500 per maund. the BNP chief said how a farmer can't buy a saree or a lungi by selling one maund of jute. " It had mis erably failed to protect the interests of farmers. Industrial workers, government employ ees and businessmen In this regard. she criticised the govern ment for not yet implementing the national pay scale for public servants and not taking steps to increase wages of industrial workers
The former prime minister said they (AL rulers) claimed no Industrial development took place under the BNP govern ment but were compelled to admit in parliament that
82,000 new industrial units were set up during the BNP rule.
Referring to the government Initiative to resolve the longstanding CHT problem. Begum Zia said. "No extra-constitutional solution will be accepted."
Referring to her Sunday's visit to Shayestaganj, where a bridge over the Khowai river was damaged, the BNP leader said greater Sylhet had been isolated from the rest of the country. The government is so Incompetent that it could not take any step as yet to repair the bridge, she added.
Begum Zia was also critical of the government for the share market scam, fresh taxes in the budget, liquidity crisis' in the banks, lack of foreign investments in the country and frustration among the business community.
Chaired by city BNP convenor Sadek Hossain Khoka, MP. the meeting was also addressed by. among others. Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Jatiya Sangsad Prof. Badruddoza Choudhury, party secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan. MP. Abdus Salam Talukdar. Abul Hasnat. Tariqul Islam and Sirajul Hossain Khan.