PM: Uphold the spirit of independence

At a discussion yesterday, she highlighted the struggle of her father Bangabandhu in nation building, establishing the right to language, and ensuring democracy and development of the country after the 1971 Liberation War. Hasina said that the sacrifice of the martyrs could be repaid by turning Bangladesh into a middle income country by 2021 and a developed and prosperous one. The event was organised on the occasion of 46th Victory Day at Krishibid Institution in the capital. In her speech, the premier condemned the role of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman for usurping power, paving way to a series of coups, introducing a politics of conspiracy in the country and rehabilitating the war criminals in politics. Hasina, also the chief of Awami League, blamed her archrival Khaleda Zia for making top war criminals ministers and lawmakers, and for the arson attacks and terrorist activities that claimed many lives in the wake of the January 5, 2014 elections. She said that people resisted the so-called movement aimed at unseating the government. Urging the BNP chief to shun the path of violence, the premier said that her government would ensure justice for the killing of innocent people at the hands of BNP-Jamaat supporters. About the reconstitution of the Election Commission, Hasina said she had confidence on the president. “The president [Abdul Hamid] has called political parties for discussion. We will accept his decision and the next election will be held accordingly,” she said. Hasina reiterated her determination that her government would complete the trials of war criminals, August 21 grenade attacks and recent militant attacks. Awami League Advisory Council members Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, Presidium members Matia Chowdhury and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former Sylhet mayor Badaruddin Ahmed Qamran, AL Central Committee member Nurul Islam Thandu, Dhaka north unit General Secretary Sadeq Khan and Dhaka south unit General Secretary Shahe Alam Murad also took part in the discussion.