Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said some people who always find fault with her government are trying to grab power, reports bdnews24.com.
Speaking at the ruling Awami League’s Central Working Committee meeting at the Ganabhaban on Saturday, she said, “Some people are always trying to regroup and oust the government.”
“What is our fault? Do they only see failures?” Hasina said, adding that the people understand the Awami League government is working for their welfare. “But some people with great knowledge understand less because they always look for chances to grab power.”
“They will wait forever. They complain to foreigners, hoping that someone abroad will hold their hand and put them on the throne. These things happened in the past, but Bangladesh has changed. They won’t be able to do it again.”
Hasina urged the Awami League leaders to work to make the party stronger. “If we can move forward with the trust people have in us, no one will be able to stop Bangladesh’s progress.”
Describing the achievements of her government, such as poverty alleviation and self-sufficiency in food, Hasina said they also took immediate steps to keep prices down.
Prices did not rise much in Bangladesh, compared to global market volatility amid the Ukraine-Russia war, Hasina said.
Reiterating that the government’s steps were effective to solve the onion crisis, she urged all to look for ways to produce cooking oil in Bangladesh and reduce imports to keep the prices down.
HASINA ORDERS UPDATE OF MANIFESTO
Hasina, president of the Awami League, ordered the leaders to update the party’s election manifesto ahead of the next parliamentary polls and prepare for the next council.
“We usually hold our council on a regular basis. The next council is nearing,” she said.
She said the party forms some sub-committees for the council and the sub-committee on the party’s constitution will need to check whether it needs any changes.
“We also need to change our manifesto, because many of our pledges have been fulfilled.”
Hasina ordered the party activists to choose such a leadership, in whom people will have trust. “Because, we came to power after being elected by their votes.”
She emphasised the continuation of democracy and government to ensure socio-economic development.
The prime minister recalled some members who played a questionable role in the party. “Your enemies will never be able to cause harm to you if you don’t have traitors.”
“But it is unfortunate that it [traitors helping enemies] happened to the Awami League time and again. Despite their efforts, we moved forward by organising our party and setting targets for the country.”
During the regimes of Ziaur Rahman, HM Ershad and Khaleda Zia, power was “confined to the cantonment”, Hasina said. “They ran military dictatorship directly or indirectly from there [cantonment], which Ayub Khan had done. It’s like they want to set up a system modelled on Pakistan's.”
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said Hasina instructed them to prepare the manifesto ahead of the next parliamentary elections.
He said the council is likely to be held in December. The last council was held in December 2019. “It'll be organised when the leader [Hasina] wants. She's told us to start updating the constitution and the manifesto now.”
He said they also discussed ways to strengthen the party by forming committees of local units and disciplining rebel leaders.
Speaking about the next election, Quader said the government will allow the opposition parties to hold programmes without any hindrances. “We believe in democracy. The opposition parties are welcome to the election. It will be a fair election under an impartial Election Commission.”