Prime minister Hasina slams BNP chief Khaleda for Padma Bridge remarks

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has slammed Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia for her remarks on Padma Bridge. “A person who has a little bit of sense or knowledge, must not have uttered those words,” said the prime minister during a meeting with Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) members at Gonobhaban on Thursday. BCL members went to meet the prime minister at the Gonobhaban on the occasion of BCL’s founding anniversary. On Tuesday, BNP chairperson asked people not to use Padma Bridge and said the bridge is being constructed with patchworks. Khaleda was speaking in a discussion program of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) at Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) when she made the remark. “She [Khaleda] would have had an idea how the bridge is being constructed if she had brains in her head,” said the prime minister. “She [Khaleda] has brains in her head but she uses that for making money through embezzlement, stealing orphans' funds, burning and killing people. She [Khaleda] can only do these things,” said Hasina. The prime minister also said that Khaleda has made it clear that how capable she is to construct a bridge. She urged the BCL leaders and activists to pay attention to their studies. She said all subjects including science, technology, culture and literature have to be taught. “You always keep in mind that education is the most important thing to lead a country in the future. It is not possible to build yourselves without education. This is also applicable for advancing the country,” said the prime minister to the BCL activists. Hasina asked the BCL activists to move forward with 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 program. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader was present at the podium.