Govt has pushed country into humiliating situation: Hasina

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina again yesterday held the government responsible for Bangladesh being "black listed" by the United States and said the BNP-Jamaat alliance dashed the dignity of the nation.

"For misrule, misdeeds, corruption and terrorism by the present regime and for its political vengeance, the nation has been dishonored," she said addressing Agrani Bank Freedom Fighters and Pro-Liberation Officers and Employees Association at her Dhanmondi office.

The country's image has been tarnished abroad due to "widespread terrorism under the alliance rule", Hasina alleged.

"Only for this reason, Bangladesh has been blacklisted as a terrorist nation 30 years after independence.

"But only 15 months ago, during the rule of Awami League government, Bangladesh had excellent relations with all countries including the United States of America."

She said this government has pushed Bangladesh into a humiliating situation and is now blaming her for this predicament.

"They are blaming me. If so, if all the countries are guided by my directives, then what is the justification of this government staying in power?"

The Leader of the Opposition in parliament and former prime minister claimed that while former US President Bill Clinton was coming to Bangladesh during her rule, the then opposition BNP had tried to foil the trip raising a false alarm about presence of Taliban forces in Bangladesh.

"Now they have fallen in the grave they dug for their opponents.

"The government has messed up everything through misrule, torture and terrorism. This government has set negative records in all spheres. They are happy to create miseries for the people."

She said this government does not follow any rules or regulations--they do not follow the Constitution or any norms, "They are amassing wealth by cashing in on peoples' sufferings".

About the recent joint drive against criminals, she questioned under what rule the prime minister called out the army. She blamed the PM for the death of 52 people during the drive and said, "To protect herself the prime minister introduced the indemnity ordinance."

The AL chief said, "They are doing all this to protect their throne". She called upon all to unite to free the nation from the "clutches of misrule, torture and terrorism".

Association President Delwar Hossain, General Secretary Moslem Miah and Mobarok Hossain also addressed the meeting attended by AL leaders Obaidul Qader, Prof Nazma Rahman, Abdur Rahman, Habibur Rahman Siraj, Oshim Kumar Ukil and BM Mozammel Huq.