Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday claimed that the release of the full telephone conversation between herself and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was “good”, adding that it also helps alleviate misconceptions formed from something less concrete, referring to the partial conversation released by opposition party BNP.
“It is good for the people to know the full conversation, as a partial telephone conversation was released by BNP and misled the citizens. People have every right to know everything,” Hasina said during her introductory speech to the party leaders from greater Dhaka district in a view-exchange meeting at her official residence Ganabhaban.
Party leaders and lawmakers from Gazipur, Narsingdi, Manikganj, and Narayanganj were present at the meeting that was convened to help make the party’s November 3 rally at Suhrawardy Udyan a success. Sources within the party said Awami League was planning to gather a large number of people at the rally, in a bid to showcase its popularity and for gearing up party activists across the country.
Regarding Saturday evening’s telephone conversation with Khaleda Zia, the premier said: “I did not want to quarrel with her. In the greater interest of the nation I had to patiently listen to many unwarranted things. May Allah give me more patience to tolerate and I had to hear many unwarranted words from her only considering the interest of our countrymen.”
Hasina criticized Khaleda for not withdrawing the 18-party alliance’s 60-hour hartal, despite repeated requests from her.
“Khaleda Zia did not pay heed to my request. Now I want to ask the opposition leader what she gained from the shutdown except the loss of 20 lives,” the prime minister said, claiming that the opposition leader had chosen the path of violence and thus launched the movement aiming towards saving war criminals.
Sheikh Hasina also urged people to remain alert so that no one could ruin the spirit of independence.
Addressing the meeting, ruling party spokesperson Syed Ashraful Islam said the invitation for Khaleda Zia was still open and she is welcome to come by Ganabhaban.
“The prime minister already invited Khaleda Zia. This invitation is still valid. Just make a phone call whenever you want to come. If she [Khaleda] desires, we have no reservations in inviting her once more,” he said, adding that for the sake of the country, Awami League was ready to invite her a hundred times.
Regarding the party’s planned rally at Surawardy Uddyan on November 3, Ashraf, also the LGRD minister, hinted that the party would gather the “highest number” of people at the rally to show its strength.
Among others, ruling party leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Matia Chowdhury, Sahara Khatun, Mahabub-Ul-AlamHanif, DipuMoni, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, MA Aziz, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Asim Kumar Ukil, Mrinal Kanti Das, were present at the view-exchange meeting.