BNP indulges in graft when in power

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday alleged that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had been to Singapore twice to save her son's laundered money, but failed.
Speaking at a public rally at Fatikchhari in Chittagong, she said, "When we come to power, we work for people and think about their welfare.
"But when the BNP assumes office, they resort to corruption, looting, terrorism and siphoning public money off abroad."
The premier said people surely had not forgotten that the BNP chief went to Saudi Arabia with suitcases when she was in power.
"And this time when we have been on a drive to bring her son's siphoned-off money from Singapore, she rushed there twice to protect it.
"But the Singapore court didn't give in and the Singapore government returned it [the money] to Bangladesh," she added.
Hasina, who is also president of the ruling Awami League (AL), criticised the BNP for calling the handover of a 'symbolic cheque' of Arafat Rahman Koko's laundered money a drama.
They [BNP] were saying that to confuse people, she told the rally organised by Fatikchhari unit of AL at C&B Ground.
"We have brought back the laundered money of her one son. An FBI member also testified against her other son in a money-laundering case. How did you call it a drama?" she questioned.
The Anti-Corruption Commission has brought back the remaining Tk 7.40 crore of around Tk 21 crore that Koko and his associate siphoned off to Singapore.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam handed over a dummy cheque for the amount to ACC Chairman Badiuzzaman at a programme in the capital on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, BNP termed the handover of the 'symbolic cheque' a drama, saying that it was an act to undermine the party and its chairperson.
Hasina reiterated that the next parliamentary election would be held in line with the constitution and people would freely exercise their franchise.
Listing her government's various successes, the premier called upon people to vote for her party to maintain the pace of development.
"If you want peace and development, and want to stamp out terrorism and militancy, please rally around the Awami League," she said.
With Fatikchhari upazila AL President Aftabuddin Chowdhury in the chair, the rally was addressed, among others, by AL presidium member Mosharraf Hossain, Food Minister Abdur Razzak, AL Chittagong City unit President ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury.