Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina yesterday pledged that her party will stamp out illiteracy from the country, make education free up to the bachelors level for both males and females and create job opportunities for the unemployed, if voted to power again.
"We will take appropriate measurers so that Bangladesh is known to the world as a developed country of educated people and free of terrorism, corruption, militancy and misrule," Hasina, who is also the president of Awami League (AL), said.
She was addressing, as chief guest, the inaugural session of the
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two-day council of AL's student front Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) on Dhanmondi Club ground in the capital.
Blasting the four-party alliance government for its wide scale corruption in every sector, Hasina directed BCL activists to mobilise the people against the government's corruption, militancy, criminal activities, price hike of essentials, crisis of power, gas, fuel, fertiliser and other necessary commodities.
Asking the BCL leaders to concentrate on education to build up the nation, Hasina also a former prime minister, told them that her party will not tolerate anyone's involvement in any kind of criminal activity, while engaged in student politics.
Being involved in student politics does not mean giving up studying, the AL chief said, adding that only students will be involved in student politics from now on.
She said meritorious students will get preference in the future leadership of BCL. She alleged that Ziaur Rahman, late president of the country, destroyed the glorious tradition of student politics in the country by handing out arms to the students.
She also directed her student activists to honour every teacher and parent along with people in general saying that every person in the country has something to contribute to build up the nation.
"We want to reform the country in such a way so there will be no criminal activity, corruption, extra judicial killing, and unemployment," Hasina said adding that if they come to power again they will do everything to survive the competition in the new
globalised world and face its challenges.
Hasina said the alliance government has to carry out the opposition's proposed reforms in the system of caretaker government and the Election Commission (EC) to ensure a free and fair election in the country.
"The BNP government has politicised all sectors including the Supreme Court, High Court, police and the civil administration to return to power," she said, adding that the ruling alliance members know very well that people will not vote them to power again for their immense corruption and misrule, and for this reason they are conspiring to rig the polls.
Blasting the Prime Minister for lying about her birth date, education and qualifications, Hasina said the prime minister has been damaging congenial atmosphere in all educational institutions. "As she does not know history, the prime minister has been continuously distorting the country's glorious history," Hasina said directing her student leaders to make a list of all persons who are distorting the country's history.
Presided over by BCL President Liaqat Sikder, the inaugural session was addressed among others by its General Secretary Nazrul Islam Babu, Sahajada Mohiuddin and Baloram Podder . Many former BCL presidents and general secretaries were present at the council. Several thousand BCL leaders and activists from across the country also joined the council. They will cast their votes today to elect their next leadership.