"The opposition leader [
Khaleda Zia]Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ...
has said that she would throw away the constitution and some of her associates have wanted to throw it to dustbins. How audacious they are! They do not believe in the country's independence and sovereignty. They should go to Pakistain," she said.
Hasina made the remarks at the Awami League (AL) working committee meeting held at her Gano Bhaban residence in the afternoon.
If she [opposition leader] would have respect toward the constitution, she could not make such remarks, the premier said.
"She has forgotten that 30 lakh people sacrificed their lives and two lakh mothers and sisters sacrificed their honour to attain the constitution of independent Bangladesh," Hasina said.
The premier alleged that the opposition leader and Jamaat are trying to save the war criminals and the killers of others who bit the dust in the August 21 grenade attack.
On strengthening the Election Commission (EC), she said "The commission is independent now. It will be further strengthened to arrange elections in free and fair manner."
The AL government never tries to influence the EC, Hasina said.
The premier said that with the 15th amendment to the constitution, avenues of grabbing the state power unconstitutionally have been stopped forever.
"People have got their power back through this amendment," she said.
"If she [Khaleda Zia] demands the caretaker system of government, she has to admit that the last caretaker government had done the right thing by filing corruption cases against her and her sons," the premier said adding that it was the last caretaker government which found out that Khaleda Zia had "plundered the money of orphans under the Zia Orphanage."
Listing various development works done by the preset government, she said that on Tuesday total electricity generation was 4,993 megawatt which was the highest after the government assumed power.
Hasina said the government is making all out efforts so that people do not suffer during the ensuing holy month of Ramadan.
"We are keeping close watch so that none can hoard food to make extra profit at the cost of public suffering," she said.