DHAKA, May 23, 2024 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon the pro-liberation forces to be united and stronger more, warning firmly that the government will continue to take stern action against those who harm people and no one will be spared.

"Those who will carry out arson attacks and burn people they must not be spared. Whichever the big brother they maintain and whatever they do, we will not spare them, it's clear. Our actions will continue against those who will cause damage to people," she said.

The Premier was delivering her introductory speech at the meeting of 14-party alliance held at her official residence Ganabhaban.

Taking about the opportunity of digital Bangladesh, she said the grenade attackers, ten trucks arms smugglers and corrupts, staying in abroad, are plotting conspiracy and threatening to oust the government everyday.

"As long as the people of the country are by our side, she doesn't care those threats," she added.

Sheikh Hasina, also the President of ruling Awami League, said the country must not toes behind stooping its advance march, adding, "I am sure that no one will be able to do that as people are our power".

She urged all pro-liberation forces to be more well organised to go to the people to imbued them with the spirit of liberation war. "Without the pro-liberation forces in power, there will be no welfare of the people of this country," she added.

Mentioning that Bangladesh should be built in line with the spirit of independence, she said, "We have to hold on to our achievements and move forward".

Sheikh Hasina said that many people don't like progress of the country and in this regard she mentioned about discomfort of a big country without naming it.

She continued that "Regarding food production and self-sufficiency, a big country told me that what is the need to produce so much food, we have enough and we can give it".

"By producing food ourselves, we will provide security to the countrymen," she said.
 
 

Sheikh Hasina said that it would have been better if the inflation could be eased further. "If inflation can be pulled down now, people would get relieved as production is sufficient and there is no shortage (of food items)," she said.

Mentioning that inflation is now a discomfort, she said, "It's not just in Bangladesh, I saw American economic reports and inflation is also a big problem there, too".

Reserves of many countries are decreasing, including in Bangladesh, she said, adding, "There is no need to worry about reserves if there is sufficient food stock for emergency period."

In this connection, the Premier said that business, trade, communication, import and export were all closed during Corona virus pandemic, resulting money couldn't be sent from outside through 'hundi'.

"So the money came through banking channel and our reserve had increased," she said, adding that the expenditure got to increase as everything started operation after the Corona virus pandemic period.

Sheikh Hasina said that she has made people so much aware of reserve talking about it. "Everyone talks about reserve, talks about GDP and it is a good sign".

On increase in the price of products, she said that there are many games behind it. "I saw that eggs are being preserved where potatoes used to preserve in the cold storages. Eggs shouldn't be kept in the cold storages made for potatoes. Such incidents are happening in Bangladesh," she said.

The Primer said that Bangladesh should be built in line with the spirit of the liberation war. "If we don't plan for future, we will not be able to advance the country", she observed.

She said that those who were against the liberation war, they are yet to change even a bit. "This is reality and we have to face it and move on," she added.

Talking about both local and international mechanisms, Sheikh Hasina also revealed that offer was given to her before the last national polls for a hassle-free re-election if she approves an air base of another country in Bangladesh's territory. "The offer came from a white-skinned person," she said.

She said that her war is everywhere both at home and abroad, and she took the challenge. "Conspiracies are still on," she added.

The Awami League President said that BNP had conspired not to allow holding elections in Bangladesh.

About the airbase, she mentioned that she gave the same answer like what she did in 2001 when America offered her to sell Bangladesh's gas to India.

"I've clearly said that I'm the daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. . . we won our Liberation War, I don't want to come to power by renting part of the country or handing it over to some other country and I don't need power," she said.

The Premier said that if the people want, she will come to power, if not, she will not come. "I am telling these because everyone should know," she said.

About the base, Sheikh Hasina said that trade and commerce have been going on in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean since ancient times.

"Many have their eyes on this place. There is no controversy in this place and no one has conflict in it. I won't let that happen. This is also one of my crimes," she said.

That's why the Awami League government is always in trouble, said Sheikh Hasina.

The 14-party alliance coordinator and spokesperson and AL Advisory Council Member Amir Hossain Amu and AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader were present on the dais.