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PM-VICTORY-ELECTIONS 3 LAST DHAKA
The prime minister came down heavily on Dr Kamal Hossain for formation of a new alliance with those convicted for corruption, money laundering, 10-truck arms haul and the August 21 grenade attack.
“Those who were vocal against graft and made theoretical comments against it forged unity with corrupt elements,” she said.
The prime minister rejected the Jatiya Oikyafront’s demand for the resignation of the government and constitution of a neutral government for holding the next election, she said there is an apex court verdict that no unelected government could come to power.
“Despite that how some top lawyers demand for such a government?” she said, adding in whose interest they are making such demands?.
The prime minister criticised them for opposing the use of electronic voting machine (EVM). “The EVM is internationally used and none can rig votes as everybody has smart cards with biometric finger prints,” she said.
“So why they are raising objection about the EVM. Do they want election or other things?” she questioned.
Sheikh Hasina said they are making illogical demands to destabilise the country. “They want an abnormal situation in the country,” she said.
Ruling out the alliance’s allegation that the government is not giving permission to hold rallies, she said they were allowed to hold a rally in Sylhet.
“Much before the rally, they make allegations that the government is not allowing them to arrange meeting … I think they are doing this so that we obstruct them,” she said.
In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said she has already given directives to all to allow them to hold as many rallies they want as democracy exists in the country.
“They will deliver speeches as much as they want … none will bar them in this regard,” she said.
The prime minister said Begum Khaleda Zia was convicted and sent to jail for embezzlement of orphans’ money not for political reason.
She said the BNP government filed a dozen cases against her and the caretaker government lodged 5/6 more cases. “Not a single case was withdrawn and investigation was conducted in every case,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said she had called for probe into the every case and she was interrogated in every case. “The report on every case was submitted after investigation,” she said.
The prime minister said the World Bank brought corruption allegation against her regarding the Padma Bridge construction, but the bank could not prove the graft.
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