No room again for unconstitutional rule

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon all people to remain vigilant so that no unconstitutional form of government can rule the country in future.
“Bangladesh could not be freed from poverty as unconstitutional forces ruled for a long time after the assassination of the Father of the Nation,” she said addressing a meet the press programme at the Bangladesh Mission office in New York yesterday.
Since then, Hasina said, she had been fighting for democracy and for the first time in 1996, people could realise that the government is meant for their service.
Asked about possibilities of sitting with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to discuss national issues, the prime minister said, “Meeting corrupt people do not bring any good.”
Hasina, also the Awami League president, said it is true that her party had waged movement for the caretaker government, but the nation has already endured the “weird experience” of the system.
She reminded that after the first caretaker government, there was a military coup, and in 2001, the then caretaker government had removed 13 pro-liberation secretaries from their posts.
She said the next general elections will be held under the supervision of the Election Commission and all political parties will participate in the polls.
“The government won't intervene in anything of the elections,” she added.
She also criticised opposition leader Khaleda Zia's demand for caretaker government, and blamed the opposition for causing sufferings to the mass people by calling hartal.
“People are very conscious. They know that the opposition party is calling hartals just to save the war criminals and the two corrupt sons of the opposition leader,” Hasina said.
Bangladesh wants to maintain peaceful, friendly relations not only with India but also with all the neighbouring countries, she added.
Asked about Paschimbanga Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's role in delaying the long-expected Teesta Water sharing Treaty, the prime minister said it is not that negotiations between India and Bangladesh have stopped.
“Negotiation is an endless process. As far as I know, she [Mamata] will come to Bangladesh soon after her legislative election ends.”
She said none can take away all the waters from the Teesta, and Bangladesh will, of course, get its share.
Hasina said the Ganges water sharing treaty had been signed and the Teesta treaty would also be signed.
Replying to another question on Mamata Banerjee, the prime minister said that as a woman she feels proud that a woman is now the Chief Minister of Paschimbanga, formerly known as West Bengal.
The premier sought cooperation of the people and the international community to build Bangladesh as an abode of peace and prosperity.
She also said her government shows zero tolerance for militancy and any other forms of terrorism.