Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina alleged that BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, Jatiya Party's Hussain Muhammad Ershad could not bring anything for the country during their visit to India.
Highlighting the diplomatic failure of the parties, she said that after the coming of the Awami League government, India-Bangladesh's 30-year Ganges water agreement, enclave exchange and the three-bigha corridor were opened. But Khaleda Zia, General Ershad and Ziaur Rahman could not solve all these problems.
She said all this in the closing speech of the JS session on Wednesday (July 3). Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury presided over the session.
Expressing anger in response to the criticism of the Prime Minister's visit to India from various quarters, she said, "I see some people have raised various issues about my visit to India." After returning to the country after six years in 1981, the same was heard (sale of the country to India). Now don't know why that broken record started playing.
Referring to the reason for not being able to come to power in 2001, the Awami League president said, "We did not get more seats in 2001 even though we got more votes because we did not want to sell gas." That's why I could not form the government. Because I didn't want to sell gas. So who sells the country? Khaleda Zia has done it, Ershad Sahib has done it. Ziaur Rahman did. They have done it, the Awami League does not.
The Prime Minister said, Ziaur Rahman opened our market for Indian products. 40 products are granted duty-free entry. In 1980, he also signed a contract for the sale of gas. Khaleda Zia went to India in 1992. Article 11 of the Joint Manifesto there acknowledges massive infiltration into India from Bangladesh. Then the push in started. Many of our people suffered there. We also demanded in the parliament to withdraw this article, but it was not heeded.
The head of government alleged that BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, Jatiya Party's Hussain Muhammad Ershad's visit to India could not bring anything for the country. Highlighting the diplomatic failure of the parties, she said that after the coming of the Awami League government, India-Bangladesh's 30-year Ganges water agreement, enclave exchange and teen bigha corridors were opened. But Khaleda Zia, General Ershad and Ziaur Rahman could not solve all these problems.
Awami League president said, democracy is being talked about. Until now, democracy was imprisoned in the cantonment. There was a curfew all night. After the formation of the Awami League government, democratic rights returned to the people. People are voting for us, we are winning. I hear about torture. Which of our leaders and workers were left from torture during Zia, Ershad and Khaleda Zia? She said, everyone is talking, holding public meetings, marching, giving speeches. We have opened up radio and television to the private sector. I am doing talk shows as I wish. We are not holding anyone's face; we are not holding anyone's throat. Let him say whatever he can. We are running the state, working for the welfare of the people.
Responding to the criticism of bureaucrats from various quarters, the Prime Minister said, many blame our government officials. But I have seen the sincerity of the very young people (officials) during the Asryan project, their eagerness to work, that really gives me hope. Everyone worked with heart and soul. Such dedicated workers are needed to move this country forward. We need such officers.
The Prime Minister said, I have nothing to lose. There is nothing to gain. My only goal is to improve the country by providing food, education, medical care and shelter to every people of Bangladesh. That's what I want to do. We are moving forward. We will build a smart Bangladesh. At the same time, we will continue the activities to improve the fate of the people of Bangladesh. That's why I want everyone's help. Let us have more success in our new journey. Bangladesh will advance at an unstoppable speed. The people of Bangladesh will get a better and better life.