Some global powers want a govt loyal to them: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said some major powers of the world want to establish in Bangladesh a government loyal to them due to the country's geographical location.

The premier said this while addressing a discussion marking the National Mourning Day. The event was organised by Dhaka north and south city units of Awami League at Bangabandhu International Conference Center.

Refraining from mentioning any country, she said if any of those countries becomes friends with anyone there is no need for an enemy.

Referring to Ukraine, she said, "What is the condition of Ukraine today? Women and children there are facing untold miseries. The country has been demolished for this kind of friendship. That is the reality."

Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, came down heavily on these countries for their interference with the country's upcoming general election.

Some countries are always searching for democracy in our country but the fact of the matter is that Awami League leaders and activists shed their blood for establishing democracy and the people's voting rights in the country.

The PM said people of this country laid down their lives to gain independence under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"This sacrifice and blood must not go in vain, we will not allow that," she said.

Talking about BNP's demand for democracy, Hasina said she is surprised to hear the party talk about democracy.

She said military dictators Ziaur Rahman and Ershad initiated the culture of vote-rigging in the country. They also grabbed state power by imposing martial law, she added.

"At that time, we struggled and fought to establish democracy," she said.

At the outset of the meeting, one minute silence was observed to show respect to the martyrs of the August 15, 1975 carnage and the August 21, 2004 grenade attack.