Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday came down heavily on Dr Kamal Hossain and his associates for joining hands with BNP and questioned their motives.
“They have joined hands with corrupt, convicted criminals and killers. Where do they want to take the country to,” she said.
The prime minister was speaking at a program where some 150 retired officials of the armed forces expressed solidarity with the pro-liberation forces and the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban on Tuesday.
Sheikh Hasina said Dr Kamal Hossain and his associates and the civil society are always vocal against terrorism and corruption, but have gotten together with people who are convicted for graft and embezzlement of orphans’ money, ten-truck arms haul case, terrorism, militancy and the August 21 grenade attack.
“He is now following these convicted people...these civil society people want to restore democracy under the leadership of those who are convicts,” she said.
The prime minister asked what lack of democracy Dr Kamal and his associates were seeing in the country.
“It is the ill fate of the country that these people are talking about reviving democracy. What is the definition of their democracy? They cannot tell...my question to them is - what sort of democracy do they want to bring in?” Hasina said.
“Where are they taking their nomination papers from?”
She said Dr Kamal Hossain and BNP had repeatedly said they will establish the rule of law in the country.
“But they (BNP) never obeyed the rule of law. Who had taken the country to the verge of destruction? I do not know what type of development they will ensure for the country.”
Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League chief, said she wondered how Dr Kamal will be able to ensure development, eradicate corruption, terrorism and bring democracy to the country while joining hands with BNP.
Accusing BNP and its allies of indulging in conspiracy, Hasina urged the people of the country to remain alert against any sort of plot against Bangladesh.
Briefly describing the various development activities taken by her government in the last 10 years, she said the country’s GDP growth is now 7.86% and the aim of the government is to take it to the double digit.
“I would like to make the country a brand in the world, instead of wearing various items of various brands.”
Prime Minister’s Security Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique delivered the welcome address at the event.
He said the retired officials of the armed forces will work together so that the pro-liberation forces, led by Sheikh Hasina, can return to power winning the next general election.
Some retired officers of the armed forces also spoke at the program saying they will work for the AL in the coming general election. Earlier, they greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by presenting her a bouquet and joined a photo session with her.