Stay alert to conspiracies

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged Awami League leaders and activists to remain alert to all conspiracies keeping in mind that the party was moving forward fighting many odds and obstacles.

She was addressing a reception accorded to her by AL leaders at the Gono Bhaban for the successful completion of her US visit to attend the 73rd United Nations General Assembly.

The PM said some lawmaker aspirants were seen slandering local AL leaders to create positions for themselves in their respective areas. “This is a wrong way of doing politics... all will have to pay dearly for this.”

In this connection, Hasina mentioned about the party's defeat in the 1991 and 2001 national elections. She said there was a deep-rooted conspiracy in 2001, while the conspiracy in 1991 was from within and outside the party.

She said AL leaders and activists always have to keep in mind that there are strong opponents who are the defeated forces of 1971 and the killers of 1975.

About the country's progress, the PM said although Bangladesh earned a dignified position in the world, there was no room for complacency as it would invite an inevitable fall.

She said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was killed to foil the victory achieved in 1971. “They are constantly hatching conspiracies.”

These conspiracies have led to the emergence of a section of people who never do politics of vote as they have no capability to form a party, the PM added.

“But they've the desire to be in power. For this, they shake hands with the defeated forces of 1971 and the killers of 1975.”

Without naming any media outlet, Hasina said some newspapers were ready to confuse people with a lot of false information. “I know they're sitting with information; they will release those one after another and confuse people about all our achievements by providing false information.”

She said many were now speaking about fair and neutral election, but they never talked about the so-called “Yes”-“No” vote introduced by military dictator Ziaur Rahman.

Hasina said the AL had established people's voting rights in Bangladesh.

She called upon the people, including AL leaders and workers, to stay alert to conspiracies ahead of the next general election.

The PM described her participation in the UNGA session and other high-level events as well as her meetings with world leaders as very successful.

During her visit to the USA, she received the prestigious “International Achievement Award” given by Inter Press Service, a global news agency, for her dynamic leadership in addressing the Rohingya crisis. Besides, Global Hope Coalition conferred upon her the “2018 Special Recognition for Outstanding Leadership Award”.

She returned home yesterday morning.