Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said many people are trying to give political colour to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's conviction on graft charges.
She passed the remark while addressing the triennial council of Dhaka North and South City units of Bangladesh Awami League (AL) at Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday, reports UNB.
She said: “It is completely a corruption case and not a political one. However, many want to give a political colour to it.
"We didn’t file any case against her with any political motive."
As the chief guest, Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League President, opened the council by hoisting the national flag as well as releasing pigeons, and balloons.
Regarding Khaleda’s case, the prime minister said the money was for the orphans but they did not get it as it was deposited in Khaleda’s account.
She also said the army-backed caretaker government filed the case against her for embezzlement of the orphans’ money. “She is now in jail being convicted in that case.”
Criticizing the BNP leaders and activists for vandalizing vehicles in front of the High Court recently, the premier said they did it suddenly out of nothing. “This is not new for BNP leaders as they have the habit of doing such things,” she added.
Referring to the violence unleashed by BNP in 2013, 2014, and 2015, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladeshi people and their property came under repeated attacks by BNP activists.
The prime minister said this is fact that the country progressed during Awami League’s rule, and it is moving forward and will continue doing so.
Mentioning the torture and repressive acts on Awami League men and general people in the past during BNP regimes, she said her government’s goal is to change the fate of people, and improve their lifestyle by protecting them from the hands of those who resort to terrorist acts, torture and killing, and sit on the shoulders of people as a curse.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, and Awami League Dhaka North City President AKM Rahmatullah also spoke at the council presided over by Dhaka South City Awami League president Haji Abul Hasnat.
Dhaka North City Awami League General Secretary Sadeq Khan placed the report on Awami League’s Dhaka city, while Dhaka South City Awami League general secretary Shahe Alam Murad moderated it.
Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon and Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam were, among others, present.
The last council of undivided Dhaka City Awami League was held on December 27, 2012.
