BANGLADESH NEWS
Rejecting the opposition’s plea to restore the caretaker government
system, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in New York on Wednesday night
that all the doors to the caretaker system have been closed.
“People
are the source of power…we all need to be aware that no one can play
with the rights of the common people. They don’t want to return to the
1/11 situation again,” she said while addressing a civic reception at
Hotel Marriot Marquis.
Bangladesh Awami League, US
chapter, arranged the reception in honor of the prime minister, who is
now in New York to attend the 67th UN General Assembly.
The
prime minister said the government through the 15th amendment to the
constitution has made it clear that no one will be able to grab state
power, and if anyone does so, he or she will have to face the music of
law.
“We must strengthen democracy and take it forward for the welfare of the country and its people,” she said.
Recalling
various incidents that occurred during the previous caretaker
governments, Hasina said BNP with the controversial February 15, 1996
election had formed the government at midnight with so many culprits,
including the killers of Bangabandhu.
The last caretaker
government, she said, showed that they can stay in power for an
indefinite period. “And in this case, one world reputed Bangladeshi
lawyer had helped them a lot saying there is no time binding for a
caretaker government.”
Mentioning the bitter experiences
of the past caretaker government, Hasina said the Fakhruddin-led
government had wanted to cling to power. “They hatched various
conspiracies to hang onto power, but they were compelled to hold
election under local and international pressures.”
Claiming
that her government has ensured the basic rights of people, including
their franchise, Sheikh Hasina said now it is up to people to choose
either the path of development or militancy in the next general
election.
“I don’t have anything to say now…we’ve ensured
the fundamental and voting rights of people. Now it is their decision to
choose their path,” she told her audience.
Hasina said
that now people have to decide whether they want militancy, terrorism,
‘Hawa Bhaban’ and ‘Khoab Bhaban’ or the path of development.
The
prime minister said the present government has proved that it is
possible to hold free, fair and credible elections under a party
government.
She mentioned that her government, in its
current tenure, has so far held some 6000 elections at different levels
across the country. “There has been no question against the elections,”
she pointed out.
The prime minister said if her party is
voted to power again, the government would undertake the 7th five-year
plan by implementing the sixth five-year plan.
“We want to build Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021,” she said.
Reiterating
her government’s firm stance against terrorism and militancy, Sheikh
Hasina said the government would never tolerate these social menaces.
“We
want to build Bangladesh a peaceful nation in South Asia. We also want
to build a non-communal and democratic Bangladesh being imbued with the
spirit of the War of Liberation,” she said.
Listing various
successes and achievements of the present government in different
fields, including agriculture, education, health, women empowerment,
food security and social safety net, Sheikh Hasina said people get
better services and their comforts are restored when Awami League comes
to power.
She said her government, since assuming of office
in 2009, has been working tirelessly to mitigate various problems of
the country, including the acute electricity crisis.
Sheikh
Hasina said her government has been able to maintain over six percent
of GDP growth in the last three years despite global economic meltdown,
while the country’s foreign currency reserve has increased to 11 billion
US dollars from six billion in 2009.
Hasina said there had
been transactions of over Tk 42,000 crore during the Eid-ul-Fitr
shopping this time, which is a bright example of enhancement of the
living standard of people.
Recalling the contributions of
the expatriate Bangladeshis to the country’s development, the prime
minister said the economy remains on the right track, thanks to the
immense contributions of the expatriates.
“The expatriates are the main driving force of the country and they advanced the country a lot economically,” she said.
Chaired
by AL, US chapter President Dr Siddiqur Rahman, the function was
addressed, among others, by Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, eminent IT
expert Sajib Wazed Joy, US congresswoman Caroline Malony, Jatiya Party
US unit President Jashimuddin Chowdhury, JSD US chapter president Abdul
Mosabbir and New York City AL General Secretary Shaheen Alam.
At
the function, Unesco director general Irina Bukova unveiled the cover
of a book titled ‘Philosophy of Statesman Sheikh Hasina’.
Bangladesh Awami Jubo League published the bilingual book on the occasion of the 65th birthday of Sheikh Hasina.
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