Keep BNP-Jamaat clique away from state power: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged all to remain alert so that BNP-Jamaat clique cannot return to power as they were engaged in killings, creating militants and serial bomb blasts in 500 places on a single day.

"The power of the country must not be given to these killers, oppressors and militants, especially those who hurled bombs in 500 places, and killed two MPs," she said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a function organised to hand over financial assistance to the family members of the 69 people killed and injured in the August 21 grenade attack on a rally held at Bangabandhu Avenue in protest against terrorism in 2004.

She also said the BNP-Jamaat nexus never believes in the existence of Bangladesh and its independence.

Sheikh Hasina, the chief of ruling Awami League,said the then BNP-Jamaat government was behind the grenade attack on her rally that left 24 people dead and several hundred injured.

"The trial of that killing is on. Hope, the verdict on the case will be pronounced soon and those guilty will be punished," she said.

Hasina said the aim of the grenade attack was just to eliminate a party. "It was the aim of BNP, and we want justice."

She said Khaleda Zia was the Prime Minister at that time, and her son and two of her cabinet colleagues were involved in the heinous attack.

Recalling the misrule of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, she said there were 19 coups in the army at that time. "That type of miserable days shouldn't return to the country as people are now living in peace and comfort."

Seeking cooperation of people in advancing the country further, Hasina said, "We want to build the country in such a way where there will be peace and prosperity."

The Prime Minister said those who patronised anti-liberation forces and war criminals cannot ensure development and advancement of the country.

Recalling the horrors of the grenade attack, Hasina said police did not come forward to help the victims. "Instead, they tortured the leaders and workers of Awami League while trying to join the rescue work."

Not only that, she said, the then BNP government also staged Judge Mia drama to divert the incident into a different direction, she said.

The Prime Minister said Khaleda Zia, coming to power, had turned the country into a valley of killers and anti-liberation forces.

She [Khaleda] killed thousands of leaders and workers of Awami League and tortured women the similar way, Hasina added.

About Khaleda's imprisonment, Hasina said the BNP leader was put in jail following a court verdict after 10 years of filing the case as she was convicted for misappropriation of orphans' money.

The Prime Minister wondered how a leader who is getting punishment for misappropriation of money can be termed as 'mother of democracy'.

She mentioned that Tarique Rahman has also been convicted in two cases for his involvement in corruption as well as money laundering. Her government brought that money back from Singapore, Hasina added.

The Prime Minister went on saying, "BNP is an expert in vote rigging as well, but people didn't accept their misdeeds they committed in the election on the 15th February in 1996."

She said Bangladesh's economic progress is now visible as the country is marching ahead. "Bangladesh has already launched its own communications satellite into the space."

Hasina reiterated her resolve that no one in the country will live without food, shelter and other basic needs.

Cheques of financial assistance were also handed over to noted film actress Maya Ghosh and former central leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League Mosharraf Hossain.