Hasina slams Khaleda for Padma Bridge remarks

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday ridiculed BNP chief Khaleda Zia for her remarks on Padma Bridge saying that she would not have uttered those words had she been in her senses.

“Any person who has a little bit of sense, who has some knowledge, or who is in her or her senses surely must not have uttered those words,” she said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a function at her official residence Gono Bhaban when the leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) came to meet her marking the founding anniversary of the organisation.

Khaleda Zia on Tuesday said the Padma Bridge will be risky to use it as it is being constructed with patchworks, and urged people not to use it. She was speaking at a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) arranged by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD).

The Prime Minister said if Khaleda Zia had brains in her head she would have had an idea how a bridge is constructed.

“She (Khaleda) has brains in her head, but those are used for making money through embezzlement, stealing orphans' funds, burn people, killing people. She [Khaleda] can only do these things,” Hasina said.

Hasina, also the chief of the ruling Awami League, said by uttering this rubbish words Khaleda has made it clear that she has no capability to construct a bridge.

Asking BCL leaders and activists to pay attention to study, she said all subjects, including science, technology, culture and literature have to be taught.

“You always keep in mind that education is most important to lead the country in the future. It's not possible to build yourselves without education. This is also applicable for advancing the country,” she said.

Hasina asked the BCL activists to march forward nurturing its three principles -- education, peace and prosperity.

“You have to advance the country and this is the biggest thing for you,” she said.

BCL president Saifur Rahman Sohag and general secretary Zakir Hossain also spoke at the programme. AL general secretary Obaidul Quader was present at the podium.