Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called upon the main opposition BNP and its Chairperson Khaleda Zia to stop the "game of lies" and confusing people regarding the country's recent maritime victory over Myanmar.
"When the entire nation is delighted and people are rejoicing at the landmark victory, unfortunately they [main opposition BNP] are trying to confuse people," Hasina said at a reception programme at Bangabandhu Stadium in the capital.
Jubo Sangram Parishad, a combine of seven youth organisations of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance, organised the grand reception to Hasina for the maritime victory.
A huge colourful stage was made with a background of blue water of ocean for the reception on behalf of the country's youth community.
Bangladesh on April 14 won a landmark verdict at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, which sustained its claim of 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic and territorial rights in the Bay of Bengal rejecting Myanmar's claims.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia thanked the prime minister and the government for the victory, but the main opposition later withdrew the felicitation.
In reply to the rousing reception accorded to her, Hasina said if people vote AL to power in next general elections, her government would take all necessary steps to ensure maritime victory over India to be settled in 2014 in a UN court.
She said her government has been ensuring the country's interests maintaining good relations with the neighbouring countries. "Bangladesh would get rightful share of waters of 54 common rivers with India," she added.
Although there was huge campaign for the last few days through colourful posters, banners, billboards, digital display, and loud speaker for the mass reception, it was not a grand rally in terms of turnout, commented a number of people who attended the programme.
In her around one-hour speech, the premier said it is everyone's duty to ensure that none can grab state power unconstitutionally in future. She said her government has empowered the country's democratic institutions including the Election Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission and Human Rights Commission to ensure people's empowerment and strengthen democracy.
"We have ensured people's voting rights so that they can elect their government of choice," she added.
On the war crimes trial, the prime minister firmly said the trial would be held like execution of the verdict of the Bangabandhu murder case.
Speaking about the youth community, she said youths are the main force of the nation who will lead the country in future. "So you must be prepared from now on to build yourselves with dedication and commitment," she added.
AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and party leaders Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and Mirza Azam, among others, spoke at the programme chaired by acting chairman of Jubo League Omar Faruk Chowdhury.