Rebuff conspirators by casting votes: PM

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked the people to give a befitting reply to the conspiracies by casting votes in January 7 parliamentary election in a peaceful manner.

“I want this election to be held in a very peaceful manner. Through the January-7 polls, we’ll give a befitted reply to conspiracies against the election so that none can play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of Bangladesh anymore,” said the prime minister.

She was addressing a grand election rally at Govt Sheikh Mujibur Rahman College Field in Tungipara Upazila under Gopalganj district.

She said many conspiracies continue and many ones from international level are also engaged in these conspiracies so that elections won’t be held in the country as they want to bring the third party in power.

“What can the third party do? They can’t do any development of the country. You had seen what they did in 2007,” said Sheikh Hasina.

Nothing that Israel carries out bombing attacks on even hospitals in Palestine, She said Tarique Zia is doing exactly the same thing by giving orders from London to launch attacks on ambulances, journalists and police in Bangladesh.

She said this type of criminal act won’t be accepted in Bangladesh.

“If Allah wants and we can come (to power) winning the next election, it won’t be allowed that he gives orders to harm and kill the people of our country, staying in London. If necessary, he would be brought from there (to the country) and given punishment,” she said.

Seeking the votes for the AL's ‘boat’ symbol in the election, the AL president urged the voters to turn up in the polling stations and cast votes in the morning.

“You, come to the polling stations and cast votes in the morning to show the world that we know how to hold the election in free, fair and neutral manners. We can do it. We can change the fate of the people of Bangladesh,” she said.

In an scathing attack on Tarique Zia, the PM said he kills people and burn trains, buses and people by giving orders from London. Tarique is a killer, arm hauler and money embezzler who amassed money through gambling in London, she said.

She said the BNP leaders who are killing people through arson violence here following his orders will have to take the responsibility of murdering people.

“Why do BNP leaders set fire, resort to arson violence and kill people following the orders of such a perverted person? It is my question. It is they who will face punishment,” said Sheikh Hasina.

She said the perpetrators will also get punishment in the hereafter for killing the people.

The premier said the people of this country don’t believe in the BNP, which had become clear in the 2008 election when BNP got only 30 seats, while AL alone secured 233 seats out of 300 ones.

“This is why they tried time and again to hamper when AL works to change the fate of the people of Bangladesh. But they won’t succeed as they don’t have the public support,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina, as the AL candidate from Gopalganj-3 constituency that comprises Tungipara and Kotalipara upazilas, sought votes for her polls symbol.

“I express gratitude to you. Since you take care of me, I can take care of 300 constituencies of Bangladesh. It is the biggest achievement for me as there is no second candidate who is as lucky as me in Bangladesh,” she said.

‘Foreign meddling into election won't be tolerated’

Sheikh Hasina on Saturday categorically said that Bangladesh won't accept any foreign meddling into the January 7 national polls.

She also sounded a strong warning that the conspirators against the election will suffer severe consequences.

“Those who are plotting (here) to thwart the election will have to face proper punishment one day. And anyone from international level comes to poke nose into (our affairs), we’ll not accept it. Bangladesh didn’t accept it in the past,” she said.

The AL chief made this remark while addressing a campaign rally in Kotalipara upazila in Gopalganj district.

Bangabandhu's younger daughter Sheikh Rehana accompanied her sister Sheikh Hasina at the rally in Kotalipara from a campaign rally in Tungipara.

Not mentioning the name of any foreign country that opposed the Independence of Bangladesh, the AL president said those powers failed during the Liberation War in 1971.

“We’ll show them that we can achieve victory in terms of economic progress,” she said, adding that Inshallah, Bangladesh would be taken to a glorified position by reducing the poverty rate further to a percentage which is lower than that of the rich countries.

The prime minister urged the new voters not to miss the chance of casting their first-time votes and give mandate for her party in the 12th parliamentary election for the sake of progress of Bangladesh.

She said those who are from the young generation and youth society and those who are first-time voters, should not spoil their maiden votes.

“Those who are new voters will have to help Bangladesh to advance further on the development journey, maintaining the current pace of progress by casting vote for the 'boat' symbol and creating scope for AL to form the government,” she added.

The AL president said her party believes that the power of youth means the advancement of Bangladesh.

“We’ll build a skilled and smart youth society through generation of employment, ensuring vocational training, technical education, technological education and modern education for them,” she said.

Noting that it is most unfortunate that BNP-Jamaat grouping started unleashing arson violence and killing the people, Sheikh Hasina called upon all to resist such criminal acts.

“Catch those who burn, harm (people) or conspire to thwart the election and give them proper punishment, I would like to urge all to do it from your position and place,” she said.

Mentioning that it is the right of people to cast votes, she said it is AL that has established the rights to votes and food today.

“I would like to request you all to stay awake so that none can play ducks and drakes with this country and the fate of this country anymore,” said Hasina.

AL advisory council member Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim MP, Sheikh Helal Uddin MP, Sheikh Tonmoy MP, Sheikh Jewel’s wife Sheikh Shahana Yasmin Champa and AL joint secretary general AFM Bahauddin Nasim, among others, were present on the dais.

Kotalipara upazila unit AL president Bhabendra Nath Biswas presided over the rally that turned into a human sea.