No conspiracy can remove AL from power: PM

Referring to some conspiracies, including the incidents of BDR carnage and Hefazat's so-called movement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said no conspiracy could remove Awami League from power as it has public mandate.

"When we assumed office in 2008, many incidents and conspiracies like the BDR carnage and Hefazat's so-called movement were made to remove Awami League from power," she said while virtually addressing a discussion marking the Jail Killing Day from her official Gono Bhaban residence.

The premier added that the plots had failed, saying, "The Awami League is surviving only by working for the people, not by begging for mercy or kindness from anyone."

Hasina, also president of AL, said it was possible to conspire to murder anyone but none could stay in power without the support of the masses.

Coming down heavily on criticism of how AL came to power, she said, "Whatever they want to say, it is the reality that we have come to power with the vote and support of the people."

She said, "People are supporting us as we are working for them."

The AL president said the masses did not support other parties, such as BNP, as those did not go to the masses to seek votes and did not do anything for the people once they were elected after being "formed in cantonments under the patronage of illegal governments".

On the contrary, she said AL was formed from the grassroots through waging struggles to establish the rights of commoners.

AL's General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader gave the welcome address while it's Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap conducted the meeting.

The Awami League organised the meeting at the party's central office in the capital's Bangabandhu Avenue.

At the outset of the meeting, a one-minute silence was observed to pay tribute to Father of the Nation, the four national leaders, martyrs of the Language Movement, Liberation War and all the progressive and democratic movements.