ZCZC
BSS-22
PM-SYLHET-CAMPAIGN-TWO
Sheikh Hasina accused Tarique of hatching anti-Bangladesh plot staying in
London while he was involved in killing, money laundering and weapon
smuggling before taking refuge abroad.
She reviewed the heritage of Awami League as one of the sub-continent’s
oldest political parties saying it librated the country in 1971 while it
constantly continued to work with all devotions to establish the people’s
rights. “We have won freedom by giving vote to Awami League. People got
development by giving it their vote in 1996 . . . but in 2001 Awami League
was forced to concede defeat through a conspiracy,” Sheikh Hasina said.
She said people reap the fruit and could get the scope to change their lot
when Awami League remains in power as “per capita income has shot up and the
country is moving for prosperity under the stewardship of the Awami League”.
“Economically Bangladesh is now a dignified nation amidst world comity,” the
premier said.
Pointing out her government’s initiative for overall development of greater
Sylhet the prime minister said “Development of Awami League government also
touched Sylhet with people in the remote corners oif the region getting
access to electricity and opportunity to make their fortune.
She said despite being the country’s prime tea producing region, there was
no provision of its public sale there while it was the Awami League
government which introduced the tea auction system in Sylhet.
“A Special Economic Zone has been set up (in Sylhet) creating huge scope to
draw local and foreign investment and employment, she said.
Sheikh Hasina expressed her gratitude to the people of Sylhet for always
giving vote in favour of Awami League saying in return her party during its
office embarked upon huge projects for development of education, health and
communication of the region.
“We are constructing all infrastructure required for a division,” the prime
minister said adding that Dhaka-Sylhet road would be turned into a four-lane
highway and its work would begin very soon.
Sheikh Hasina said the first international airport in Sylhet was
constructed by the Awami League government, which would be extended further
while her government also introduced direct flight between Sylhet and London.
A medical university has been established in Sylhet, she said adding that
every district of the Sylhet division will have a university, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said after wining the election in 2001, BNP had branded
Bangladesh as a corrupt nation making the country champion in corruption for
five consecutive years.
After being ousted from power, the party in an orchestrated manner they
carried out bomb attacks on progressive forces across the country, killed
many distinguished personalities and resorted to a reign of terror.
BNP’s misdeeds and corruption forced Bangladesh to witness the state of
emergency in 2006, depriving the people for all democratic rights and lose
its honour and dignity.
“People had to wage struggle again to restore democracy,” she said.
BSS/SH/AKH/AR/1925 HRS