PM blames it on BNP govt's graft

Flanked by cabinet ministers and Indian Health Minister Golam Nabi Azad, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday returns to mainland Bangladesh using the Tin Bigha corridor after visiting Dahagram-Angarpota enclaves. Photo: PMO

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday pointed to corruption by the last BNP-led government as the reason behind the recent suspension of World Bank funds for the Padma Bridge project.
“I got two documents from the World Bank and both of them are on the corruption of the communications minister of the last BNP-led government,” Hasina said while addressing a rally at Patgram Abdul Gani Government Degree College ground in Lalmonirhat.
It is public knowledge, however, that on grounds of alleged irregularities on the part of incumbent Communications Minister Syed Abdul Hossain, the World Bank recently suspended funding for the Padma Bridge. The act triggered a huge outcry in the country.
In her speech, Hasina also launched a blistering attack on her political arch rival Khaleda Zia for waging street agitation. The ruling Awami League chief said none would be allowed to disrupt peace as long as her party was in power.
She claimed that Khaleda Zia was jealous of people living in peace and therefore she threatened to destroy peace. “I want to clearly tell her that she would not be allowed to do so,” Hasina said.
In her 45-minute speech, Hasina said the opposition leader had launched anti-government agitation to save the corrupt, killers and war criminals.
“She [Khaleda] does not have love for the people. She wants to protect war criminals and killers and does not believe in the country's independence,” Hasina continued.
Terming the opposition's road march a “showdown of cars”, the premier said the demonstration of the vehicles proved how much money opposition politicians had made through corruption when they were in power.
The Awami League chief noted that Khaleda Zia could not accept the idea of being unable to make money through corruption now that she was out of power.
Hasina's visit to the district was her first time since she assumed office in January 2009. She also visited Dahagram-Angorpota enclaves to see their inhabitants, who are now free to move around by using the Tin Bigha corridor.
Addressing the public meeting at Patgram, she said her government had taken measures to resolve problems related to other enclaves.
She said her government would also ensure a proper share of the waters of the Teesta in the same way that it had earlier obtained a fair share of the waters of the Ganges. The government, she said, would also carry out dredging in the Teesta, she added.
The prime minister explained in brief the government's measures to implement various development projects in Lalmonirhat, including upgrading Lalmonirhat-Burimari highway to a dual carriageway and constructing a bridge over the river Dharala.
“You don't need to raise demands whenever the Awami League is in power. We are doing whatever is needed for the development of the people,” Hasina said.
She assured the people of Patgram that some of their demands, including setting up a polytechnic institute and introducing honours courses at Abdul Gani Degree College, would be met.
She alleged that the opposition had been trying to create chaos in the country in order to have the caretaker government system restored.
Former president HM Ershad, chief of the Jatiya Party, a component of the Awami League-led ruling alliance, in his brief address, condemned the BNP-led opposition's demand for reinstating the caretaker government system.
Chanting slogans, leaders, activists and supporters of the Awami League and Jatiya Party joined the rally. Patgram upazila acquired a new look with festoons, placards and banners, various slogans and photographs of Sheikh Hasina and Bangabandhu to welcome her.
Accompanied by a number of ministers, advisers and lawmakers, Hasina flew to the upazila in the morning and left for Dhaka in the afternoon.
During the visit, Hasina inaugurated the newly constructed Dahagram Union Parishad Complex and indoor services of the 10-bed Dahagram-Angorpota hospital. She also formally switched on power to 450 households.
She spoke briefly at a meeting at Dahagram High School ground and assured locals of taking some measures to improve their lives.