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Hasina demands early polls

Promises to desist from political vengeance

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the govern-
ment to seek fresh mandate though early polls for what she said was the
loss of public confidence in the
BNP-Jamaat-led coalition's ability to run the country.
"It is a recognised democratic norm to seek fresh mandate when a government loses confidence of the majority of people and for this, the present government has to resign to
way for an immediate election," said Hasina, also president of main
opposition Awami League (AL)
and former prime minister.
"People want freedom from this failed government as they are grappling with crime, corruption, price hikes of essentials and an acute sense of insecurity," she said in an address to the elite at Pan-
Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on the
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occasion of the alliance government's three years in office.
Political leaders, academics, bureaucrats and diplomats attended the function. The AL and other mainstream opposition parties observed the day as a "Black Day" for the nation.
Hasina urged all to reach a national consensus to put an end to 'the misrule of the alliance government' and build a modern, secular and democratic Bangladesh.
She promised people that if voted to office, her government would not try to settle scores out of political vengeance.
The opposition leader painted a detailed picture of what she said were misdeeds of the 36-month Khaleda administration, including the slide in law and order, price hikes of essentials, lack of public safety, unabated corruption, existence of religious militant groups, nepotism and politicisation and persecution of political opponents.
Hasina alleged that the government has unleashed 'state terrorism' for political ends, as it has been killing the prospective leaders of the main opposition, sensing its defeat in the next polls.
The former prime minister also touched on issues including her party stance on the joining parliament, major bomb blasts and arms hauls, custodial killing and successes of the previous AL government.
The former prime minister accused the government of not investigating the grisly grenade attack on a rally of her party on Bangabandhu Avenue. The evidence has been destroyed and the perpetrators are being protected.
Turning to next elections, Hasina said the level of failure and misrule of the government is so acute that the ruling coalition is 'trying to come to power by circumventing people's mandate' through 'election engineering'.
She outlined manipulative methods the coalition has used to achieve its goal. These include strengthening methods of vote rigging and casting of false votes, as seen in Dhaka-10 by-election, use of illegal money to influence elections, attempt to create an obedient executive through politicisation, minority repression to discourage voting, attempt to influence and control the media, selective killing of popular opposition leaders and repression of AL workers at the grassroots level to create panic.
Hasina said the BNP-Jamaat government has failed to provide security to people and instead, the government itself has become a threat to people's life and properties.
"The crisis is so horrific that foreign envoys are becoming victims of grenade attacks, while donors have to flee the country in fear of their lives."
Activities of the religious extremists have tainted the secular character of the country, she added.
On killing of people in "crossfire" in the custody of Rab, Hasina said what is going on is inhuman. "Every citizen has the right to justice and everyone wants trial of criminals".
She said as many as 307 people have been killed in custody so far. "Killers of Manzurul Imam, Manik Saha, Humayun Kabir Balu and Shamsur Rahman were killed in crossfire only to save godfathers of the criminals," she alleged.
Most parts of the country have turned into valleys of death, she told the gathering. "Victims of rape and acid violence are forced to commit suicide as they know they would not get justice," the AL president observed.
At least 10 journalists were killed and over 1,200 others attacked for reporting on criminal activities and corruption of the prime minister, her cabinet colleagues and ruling lawmakers, she alleged.
She also spoke about mass arrests and closure of mills and factories that left thousands jobless.
"People of the country want elimination of conflicts and political vengeance," she said. "The Awami League does not believe in taking revenge on political opponents and we will stick to this policy in spite of endless repression of its leaders and workers," she said.
She said a total of 153 people were killed and 1,304 injured in 12 bomb blasts in last three years, but no-one was arrested in connection with the incidents. National security is under threat as huge illegal arms have been smuggled into the country.
"In every incident of bomb blast, pro-liberation democratic political parties, Bangali festivals and shrines were targeted. And it is clear
that those who have delivered speeches against the War of Independence and democracy and taken position against the shrines are the perpetrators of the blasts", she added.
The former prime minister claimed her government had conducted investigations into the bomb blasts at that time. "Later, the alliance government halted those and excluded the chargesheeted criminals while some of them became ministers and lawmakers," she alleged.
Speaking on their boycott of parliament, Hasina said despite non-cooperation and hostile attitude from the government, the AL made a conscious effort to go to parliament. But the AL lawmakers were not allowed to voice their opinion in parliament and the rejection of 2,413 opposition notices and the prime minister's refusal to answer to 921 opposition questions testify to the ruling coalition's attitude.
"Even the sensitive topic of August 21 grenade attack and the subsequent carnage that was a concern of every citizen of the country regardless of political affiliations was not allowed to be discussed in parliament," she mentioned.
Giving a detailed picture of the price hike of essentials, Hasina said cost of living has shoot 80 percent in three years under the alliance rule.
On economy, Hasina said foreign investment plunged 70 percent from what the AL government had left. Chittagong Port has been labelled as "second dangerous port" in the world and a latest report of Transparency International, Bangladesh reveals that about Tk 763 crore has been paid in bribe to the port officials.
On politicisation, the opposition leader said under the directives of a certain 'Bhaban', promotion rules are being violated. A record number of contractual jobs, mass postings, forced retirement and random axing has left the administration ineffective.
Hasina alleged that corruption has been institutionalised in the last three years. "Bribes and commissions for Hawa Bhaban play a regular role in each development project, international tender and transactions."
Corruption is rampant in education, agriculture, industries, social welfare, environment and communications ministries, she said. "Scams in the purchase of textbooks, wheat, fertilisers, sugar, jet fuel, CNG-run vehicles and F-28 planes, Hajj flights, involvement of an influential minister in gold smuggling and land grabbing by a minister's wife are the reasons why Bangladesh leads the way in corruption worldwide," she added.
On foreign policy, Hasina said the coalition government has completely failed on the foreign policy front.
"Bangladesh has been blacklisted because of terrorist activities. In the eyes of international community, Bangladesh is a country synonymous with human-rights violations," she said.
"The Muslim world has rejected the nomination of a war criminal and a smuggler for the post of OIC secretary-general. Bangladesh is losing friends every day."
The AL president said her party wants to see Bangladesh as one of the most attractive investment destinations in Asia.
"People don't want Bangladesh to be a safe home for religious militants, we, like the citizens, want to see Bangladesh as a bright example of communal harmony free from violence and political confrontation," she added.
"The AL does not believe in political vengeance. The father of independent Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman conducted national affairs with beliefs of benevolence and forgiveness. We have not veered from that belief in the face of oppression and torture and we will not do so in the future, God willing."
"We want to build a secure Bangladesh for people in the backdrop of the horrific slide in law and order," the opposition leader said.
She added the AL wants to create a nation for future generations where merit, not political obedience, would be the benchmark. "I want a modern generation who would make Bangladesh proud and internationally renowned in the fields of science, technology, education and sports."
"We want to rescue the judiciary, the last resort for the oppressed, from destruction and ensure its independence," Hasina said.
"We want to keep the armed
forces, built and developed from the Liberation War, above politics and create professional and modern armed forces."
She said a reformed and flawless electoral system is required to protect democracy and constitution so as to ensure people's right to choose the government they wish.