Unelected govt will never return, PM tells JS

Prime Minister and Leader of the House on Thursday night told the parliament that an unelected government would never return in the country, urging the people to remain alert and vigilant against those who are out for such a government by creating anarchy. 

"Those who are dreaming of nightmare of an unelected government in the country, please come out of the dream as it will never come true," she said while addressing a valedictory speech on completion of the 21st session of the 11th parliament, reports BSS. 

The Prime Minister asked the dreamers of nightmare to go to the people and participate in the election if they have aspiration to go to power.  

"The reality is that whoever will get the people's vote, will come to power and we have no objection to this end. Awami League never interferes in it and will not do so," she said.  

What benefit the country yielded in the past from an unelected government for which some people are now advocating for an interim government by passing the country's constitution? she posed a question. 

"Those who want an unelected government violating the country's constitution, which protects the rights of the masses, really don't believe in the country's independence, democracy and rights of the people," she said.  

The Prime Minister called upon the countrymen to remain alert and vigilant against such people as they hardly care for the welfare of the country and its people rather they works for their petty interests .  

"The countrymen should remain alert and vigilant against those who are out to create anarchy in lust for getting some money from somewhere. I have confidence that the people of the country will never allow them to destabilize their lives," she said.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury read out the prorogation order of the president. 

Sheikh Hasina, also Leader of the House, said the countrymen have witnessed the destruction of country's trade and commerce, development, disruption in production, declining in food production alongside a terrified situation in the country during the regime of unelected governments. 

"Are they (the campaigners of an unelected government) once again wanting to put the countrymen in a scary situation? Are they wanting to play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people (by inviting an unelected government in the country)?" she questioned. 

The unelected government of military dictator Ziaur Rahman assumed power by declaring martial law violating the country's constitution which was followed by Ershad.  

What the countrymen got from such governments, she said, adding that they got nothing instead of seeing several coups in which hundreds of people, particularly the military officers, were killed in the name of so-called trials.  

The Prime Minister slammed the supporters of the unelected government, saying why they can't tolerate the wellbeing of the people. In fact, they aren't in favour of the people's welfare as they have failed to cash in from the poverty of the people, she observed.  

She said they used to beg in foreign countries using the poverty of Bangladesh and utilised those money for their luxury that included purchasing BMW car.  

The Premier said they are in hot pursuit in spreading propaganda against the use of digital platforms capitalising the advantages of a digital country made by her government.  

They, she said, never see the massive changes brought in the country and in the life of the people in the last 14 years since Awami League assumed office in 2009.  

During the period, she said, they have ensured basic rights of the people that include health security, food and nutrition, education and accommodation and successfully tamed terrorism and militancy from the country and transformed Bangladesh into a developing nation and brightened image of the country. 

"Everything has been possible as the Awami League government is in power for the three consecutive terms since 2009 through the people's mandate following the democratic process," she added.

Sheikh Hasina, also President of the ruling Awami League, said her party believes in democracy for which they had to struggle braving immense torture, imprisonment and attacks on life repeatedly.  

The Prime Minister said her government had proved that the election could be held in a free and fair manner under their regime and the election commission is completely independent in doing so, referring to the six by-elections and Rangpur City Corporation election held recently. 

"None could raise a question about authenticity of the elections as the people had casted their votes spontaneously," she said.  

The people of Bogura, she said, also elected the AL candidate (the vote bank of BNP) as her party uplifted their lives, "They have witnessed the development during the tenure of Awami League government and spontaneously casted their (the people of Bogura) votes in favor of Awami League candidate," she added.  

The Prime Minister said her government has only used the taping system to track down those who're using digital platforms in spreading militancy and producing bombs, for which the militancy is being brought under control. 

Mentioning that some people are also criticising the efforts, she said, "If we don't use the taping system how we will get information (about militant activities)."  

Sheikh Hasina assured the countrymen that there would be no shortages of food during the upcoming month of Ramadan as there is a buffer stock of food and efforts are on to import more.  

"The Ramadan is ahead, many newspapers will write many things. But, I'm assuring you that we have no scarcity of food for Ramadan. We have plenty of sugar, onion, date and edible oil and we're purchasing more. We currently have 19 lakh tonnes of food in stock," she said.  

She added that her government is exporting edible oil from Brazil and dialogue is going on with Argentina to this end.  

The Primer said the businessmen who are doing business accordingly have no problem with LC. While those who are making over in-voicing and under in-voicing they're facing difficulties with LC, she added.