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| Bangladesh |
| BNP: Agitation soon to overthrow govt |
| 2010-03-30 |
| Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia said she would soon announce an agitation programme to overthrow the government for what she said was failure to tackle power, gas and water crises. "I will wage a movement and oust the government. I have done it in the past and am ready to take to the street again," she told a huge public rally at Laldighi Maidan yesterday. Khaleda began her anti-government campaign from this historic city as part of her programme to address rallies at all divisional headquarters. Terming the government adept in filing cases and making deals as well as corrupt and liar, the BNP chief said, "Given undertaking, Moeen-Fakhruddin government installed you in power but in the future people will choose their government." She said Moeen-Fakhruddin pushed back the country by 20 years and the incumbent government is pushing the country even further. Referring to the torture, threat and conspiracy of the Fakhruddin-Moeen government against her and her two sons, she claimed that the emergency government had tried to inject her with sedatives and send her abroad to execute the minus-two formula. The opposition leader said she had always stated that Bangladesh is her address and she would never leave the country and abandon its people. She slammed the present government for what she termed "leasing out Bangladesh to India". Censuring the prime minister for agreeing to give India access to Chittagong and Mongla ports and allow corridor through Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia questioned whether Bangladesh would remain a sovereign state or become a vassal of India after these agreements. She was also critical of the Ganges water sharing treaty with India and the government's stance on the proposed Tipaimukh dam. "Bangladesh cannot progress by renting out seaports and roads or allowing corridor. It's a matter of shame that the prime minister has given all the advantages to New Delhi but failed to realise our rightful claim of the Tin Bigha corridor," she said. The people no longer want to see this government in power as it failed to implement its election pledges including providing rice at Tk 10 per kg, job for one from each family and free fertiliser. She alleged that prices of essentials have gone up and law and order has deteriorated, as 10 people are killed every day. If BNP returns to power, the country's independence and sovereignty would be protected and the crises of power and gas would be resolved while people getting jobs, she said. She rejected the prime minister's allegation of BNP government adding not a single megawatt (MW) of electricity to the national grid. She said the previous BNP government had added 1,500MW of electricity to the national grid during its 2001-06 tenure. Khaleda claimed that her government had also arranged funds for generating 2,500MW of power. She said eight projects for setting up power plants were finalised but the Fakhruddin-Moeen emergency government did not implement it to put the blame on BNP and inflict sufferings to the people. On manpower export, Khaleda said Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East countries have stopped recruiting Bangladeshi workers but the government is busy filing cases against BNP. She also termed militancy a tactic of the government to scare people. She said, "The government cannot stay in power or keep their masters satisfied by scaring the people." On the proclamation of independence, Khaleda said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not declare independence of the country as he was arrested on the night of March 25. "Indian president and prime minister and leaders of other countries had admitted it," she claimed. She said even Wazed Miah in his book said Bangabandhu had neither declared the independence nor handed over any written document to anyone. Khaleda, however, said, "We respect Sheikh Shaheb [Bangabandhu] for his contribution in the Liberation War, but his party and family members have been undermining him." Presided over by Chittagong City BNP President Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, the rally was also addressed by Khandaker Moshraff Hossian, Salahuddin Qader Chowdhury, Abduallah Al Noman, Mir Nasiruddin, Amanullah Aman, Barkatullah Bulu, M Shahjahan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Shahiduddin Chwdhury Annie, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and Shirin Sultana. Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque conducted the rally. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 Oh, Bangladesh. I was in for a while before I realized they weren't talking about England. Similar complaints, I suppose. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2010-03-30 10:32 |
| #1 " BNP: Agitation soon to overthrow govt " Nick Griffin will be gobsmacked at this news. |
| Posted by: Dave UK 2010-03-30 04:44 |