In a statement that is reminiscent of what her arch rival Sheikh Hasina has said before, Khaleda Zia has said she does not desire to be the prime minister again; rather she wants to serve the people by “ensuring their voting rights and restoring democracy” in the country.
“I do not desire to become a prime minister. I am doing a movement to save the country, its people and their voting and democratic rights. So, in the last stage of my life, I urge you all to unite and oust the current illegal, undemocratic and unconstitutional government,” she said at a rally in Natore yesterday.
Since coming to power for the first time in 1996, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said on many occasions that the Awami League government under her leadership was not there to rule the country but to serve them.
On July 10 this year, the Awami League’s Facebook page uploaded a cover picture that contained Sheikh Hasina’s photograph and an inscription in Bangla which roughly translates into English as: “Our responsibility is to take to people the service that they deserve and thus repay their debt. Keep in mind that we are not rulers but we are here to serve people.”
Addressing the crowded rally yesterday at the Nawab Siraj Ud Doula College playground in Natore, Khaleda Zia said: “It is not only the responsibility of the political parties take to the streets to restore democracy; but people should also accept the moral responsibility for that.”
Comparing the PM with infamous World War II era German autocrat Adolf Hitler, the former premier said: “Many people term the government as autocratic; but I want to say that a new Hitler has emerged and it is killing people and making them disappear...and running the country whimsically...We all must get united to remove this Hitler and the evil regime.”
In her 55 minutes speech, Khaleda slammed the government for what she said were indulging in corruption and extortion; plundering public money; failing to maintain law and order and ensure uninterrupted utility services and attracting foreign investment; destroying the capital market and the country’s banking, garment and education sectors.
Khaleda also accused the government of destroying the office of shut down vernacular daily Amar Desh by setting fire to the BSEC building in the capital.
On the occasion of the rally, the Natore town yesterday put on a festive look. The central points in the town were decorated with colourful banners, posters, festoons and placards and more than a hundred archways to welcome the BNP chief.
Portraits of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman and district BNP leaders, including its president Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu, have also been put on display at several points in the city.
Addressing Khaleda Zia, Dulu, who chaired the rally, said in his speech: “If the leaders in Dhaka fail again in the movement, just ask Dulu. He will come to Dhaka with his people and blockade the entire city and also the leaders if needed.”
The rally was originally scheduled to be held on October 30 but was later deferred. This was Khaleda’s seventh tour to a district town since the January 5 election that the party and its allies had boycotted.
Jamaat’s threat
Addressing the rally, Mojibur Rahman, chief of the Natore district unit Jamaat-e-Islami, alleged that the government was trying to make the party leaderless by “farcically” trying its top leaders.
Apparently hinting at Sunday’s scheduled verdict announcement of the International Crimes Tribunal in the war crimes case against Jamaat leader Mir Kashem Ali, he threatened to enforce non-stop hartal if any more “farcical” verdict was given against their leaders.
