Terming the current regime a wicked one, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Wednesday said this government started its journey with blood by killing 57 army officers in February, 2009 and set to complete its tenure with the blood of workers.
“The present government is a killer government. People have been getting killed since this government came to power. It’s an unlucky regime for the country. The country and its people will suffer as long as this government will stay. So, the time has come to say good bye to this government,” she said.
Khaleda Zia was addressing a rally at Kanchpur on the outskirts of the capital marking the May Day.
“This government came to power in January 2009…we lost 57 army officers in the February 25-26 BDR mutiny. Through this killing the government has started its journey with blood in its hands. This government is going to finish its tenure with the blood of workers killed in Savar tragedy,” Khaleda added.
The BNP chief said the government has gifted the country’s people three things -- killing, forced disappearance and terrorism -- in its four-and-a-half-year tenure.
Khaleda, also the leader of the opposition in parliament, alleged that the government could not do anything for the welfare of the workers. “Instead, the workers are losing their jobs as many mills and factories are getting closed due to corruption, plundering and extortion by the ruling party men and the government’s failure to provide those with utility services.”
Starting her journey from her Gulshan residence at 3pm, Khaleda reached the meeting venue around 4pm.
In the wake of huge loss of lives of workers at Savar Rana Plaza collapse, thousands of workers of different factories from Narayanganj, Narsingdi and Gazipur joined the rally.
Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal arranged the rally at Kanchpur Balurmath in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj, on the occasion of May Day.
Khaleda started delivering her speech saying, “May Day is very significant. But today we’re observing the day with the huge bodies around and the odour in the air.”
She prayed for salvation of the departed souls of the workers killed in the building collapse at Savar and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
The former premier alleged that the workers who are playing a vital role for devolvement of the country and the growth of its economy are passing a miserable life as the government is least bothered about their condition.
She said the ruling party men are leading a cozy life as they plundered huge money from different sectors, including the Share market, Hall-Mark, Destiny, quick rental power plants and Padma Bridge project and siphoned off that abroad.
Mentioning that the workers are not getting due wages for their labour, Khaleda urged the government and factory owners to look into the matter so that the workers can get due salary.
“Workers work but don’t get the due salary for their labour, this exploitation can’t be continued and allowed to continue it.” Khaleda told her audience.
Turning to the Savar tragedy, she alleged that Jubo League leader Sohel Rana grabbed the land of a Hindu community member and the government allowed him to construct a nine-story building though it had the approval for a five-story one.
The BNP chief said Rana had forced the garment workers to enter the building on the fateful day to bring out an anti-hartal procession by them.
She also criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her claim in Parliament that Rana was no one of Jubo League. “She (PM) brought an uncorroborated list and lied in Parliament that Rana’s name was not there.”
She alleged that the government is trying to show a lesser number of casualties by concealing bodies. “Many people are saying some 900 bodies were hid …many others are saying some 1,600 people were killed in the building collapse. The government must give the appropriate figure of those killed.”
Khaleda said the government has failed to initiate the rescue operation immediately after the incident, which contributed to the greater number of casualties.
She claimed that had the local people not begun the rescue efforts without waiting for the government’s instruction the number of casualties would have been much higher. “More lives could have been saved if the Army had been called out instantly and entrusted them with the rescue operation.”
The BNP chief also demanded the government allocate Tk2m for each family of the victims and ensure the proper treatment, rehabilitation and jobs for those injured.
About their anti-government campaign, Khaleda said the opposition is not on a movement for going to power, but to save the country and its people.
Seeking support of the workers for their movement, the opposition leader said, “Today, I don’t want to say anymore…I’ll come up with my real speech in our May 4 rally in Dhaka city.”
She urged the workers to join the rally.
