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Country in deep crisis

Khaleda says nationalist-Islamist forces can solve the problem; offers prayers at3Sylhet shrines, kicks off poll campaign

Rashidul Hasan from Sylhet
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday inaugurated her party's campaign for the ninth parliamentary elections from Sylhet, urging voters to give the BNP-led four-party alliance another chance to complete the unfinished development tasks of its rule.
"Independence and sovereignty of the country is safe in BNP's hand and only the BNP-led alliance can solve the present crises of the country," Khaleda told a public meeting at Lalabazar ground of Dakkhin Surma in Sylhet.
The BNP chairperson offered special prayers at three shrines in Sylhet before formally starting her electioneering.
Hundreds of party supporters standing by the city streets leading to the shrines held colourful banners and festoons and party symbol sheaf of paddy and chanted slogans to welcome Khaleda.
The BNP chief entered the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal at 2:10pm amid tight security and spent there about 15 minutes to offer prayer
before visiting the shrines of Shah Paran and Burhanuddin Shah.
Leaving her cantonment residence at 8:30am, her motorcade reached Sylhet Circuit House at about 12:15pm. She addressed at least eight rallies in Sylhet.
BNP leaders, activists and supporters attended the Lalabazar public rally yesterday, the first day of the restrictions on rallies and processions being relaxed. In processions they started gathering at Dakkhin Surma, about 2kms from Sylhet town, from the morning, chanting slogans in support of the BNP chief.
Party candidates for the December 29 election from different constituencies brought supporters in large numbers. Many of them carried placards demanding release of their leaders still in detention.
In her address, the former premier vowed to provide employment and medical facilities including health insurance and reduce prices of essentials if voted to power.
"The country is in deep crisis and the
SEE PAGE 15 COL 4 nationalist Islamist forces have to come to power to solve the crisis," Khaleda said. "The country will survive and sufferings of people will be removed once the BNP-led alliance comes to power."
She said, "There is no fundamental rights in the country at present, no development work was done during the last two years, many people are without jobs, prices of essentials have increased 80 to 100 times, people are passing days half-fed or without food.
"There was food security during our rule, lots of development work were done and people were employed," she said, adding that only a BNP-led government can resolve the present crises.
Asking the government and the Election Commission to ensure holding of the election in a free and fair manner, Khaleda said if the election is held that way, the four-party will come to power.
She alleged that after her arrest her two sons were also arrested and tortured so much that they are yet to recover fully.
Khaleda handed over the party election symbol, sheaf of paddy, to candidates, terming it the symbol of development, independence and sovereignty.
Earlier, Khaleda was welcomed at some 25 spots in Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Habiganj and Sylhet on her way to the city of shrines. She stopped at the Sylhet Circuit House for about an hour and talked to a few candidates there.
Extensive security measures were taken in Sylhet city for the BNP chiefs visit. A huge contingent of police and party security men were deployed. The road leading to Shah Jalal's shrine was also kept free.
On way to Sylhet, Khaleda's convoy had to slow down at Itakhola, Baroicha, Sarail intersection and Madhabpurbazar as enthusiasts and local BNP leaders and
workers greeted her.
The BNP chief also addressed rallies at Dayamir School ground in Osmani Nagar upazila, Aushkandi High School ground in Nabiganj upazila, Ali Sobhan College ground in Babhubal upazila, LR High School ground in Baniachang upazila, and Madhupur High School ground in Habiganj, urging people to vote for party candidates.
She addressed the last rally at the Brahmanbaria College playground before starting for Dhaka at 1:00am.