DHAKA, April 20, 2022 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said a group of political parties in patronisation of BNP-Jamaat alliance is engaged in conspiracy to oust the Awami League government only to cast the people again in the reign of darkness and miserable era.

"What their motive is to topple the government. (Actually they want to) deprive the people from all the facilities that are being provided by the government. Is it their only target and objective?" She said.

The premier said this while addressing the week-long programme on 50th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Krishak League as the chief guest at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban here.

She said some political leaders are in Bangladesh who never remains beside the people during any crisis moment, rather they are very much busy to raise movement for ousting the government.

 She added: "Mr. Manna, Dr Kamal Hossain, the communist party and left leaning parties are now involved with BNP-Jamaat alliance for forging movement to topple the Awami League government."

Sheikh Hasina posed a question saying, "What is the fault of Awami League that they wanted to oust the government".

The Prime Minister said Awami League gave an election manifesto in 2008 and came to power after winning election. “In that manifesto we had declared Vision 2021. I am expressing my gratitude towards the people of the country for electing us repeatedly,” she said.

Mentioning that as per the election manifesto the country has attained its target, she said “We have promoted our country from least developed country to developing nation while we were celebrating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence.”

Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the ruling Awami League, said "My question, don't they like this upgradation of the country? and that is why they wanted to remove this government.”

She said that the government has taken steps to change the fate of the country's people, and added mass people living in the grassroots level and rural areas are getting benefits from its move to change their fate.

She continued “For that reason they need to oust Sheikh Hasina’s government. My question is to them what is our crime."

The Prime Minister said the government has given importance on the research of agricultural issues so that the country could get more positive results in food production along with other related issues.

In this connection, she mentioned that the government has taken numerous development programmes to do the welfare of the mass people of the country.

Spelling out various steps of her government for the welfare of the  agriculture and farmers of the country, she said the government is very much serious about the agriculture and farmers. “We have forged the system so that farmers could get the fair price of their produced items,” she said.

With Krishak League President Samir Chanda in the chair,  its General Secretary Umme Kulsum Smrity delivered welcome address.

Krishak League's former Presidents Dr. MA Jalil and  Motahar Hossain Mollah,  former General Secretaries Mizanur Rahman Manu and Harun Or Rashid, among others, also spoke.

At the function, an audio-visual documentary was screened on the occasion of  50th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Krishak League.

The Prime Minister also unveiled a publication of Krishak League.

The Prime Minister said the country has become self sufficient in food production, per capita income has been increased, cent percent electricity coverage has been ensured and land-homeless people are getting house and land.

Highlighting that people find livelihood after getting house and land as well as become self reliant, she questioned "Is it the crime of Awami League government? and that is why this government has to be ousted.''

She said they have established digital Bangladesh and constructed the much cherished Padma Bridge with own financing which has changed the image of Bangladesh abroad.

She added that country's first satellite Bangabandhu-I has been sent to the orbit and broadband connectivity has been made available in the villages, resulting in the youth of the country are doing foreign job staying at villages and attained economic solvency.

Regarding the completion of Payra 1300-MW power plant before the eight months of scheduled time and saving of Taka 900 crore, Sheikh Hasina said the critics do not praise it as they feel sad to applaud the success.

Rather they raise question what is the necessity of such a big project, she said, adding ''Such project is required to provide 100 percent electricity."

The Prime Minister said they are establishing 100 special economic zones across the country where both local and foreign investment is coming. "We are doing it considering to process the products being produced in different parts in the country", she added.

She said the government has been constructing roads, bridges and culverts every nook and corner which have eased the movement of people but "they don't like it".
She added they are doing all required steps for the start ups so they can become entrepreneurs.

She continued that the government has set up community clinics where 30 types of medicines are being given free of cost while other modern and specialised treatment have been made accessible to upazila and district levels.

She went on saying that her government has been providing social safety net allowance and disabled allowance to bring solvency to the poor families. "Actually they are working to bring happiness and smiles of farmers, labourers and mass people", she added.

Posing the question to all, she said "What is the offense of us" and "Why do they want to oust Awami League government".

Sheikh Hasina said when they were in power they have looted people's money, killed people and Awami League leaders and activists as well as tortured Purnima, Mahima many more.

She added did the people forget those atrocities and forget their brutalities in 2013, 2015?.

Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh is now a role model of development which is moving ahead. " But, a section of our country's people are trying to tarnish the image of Bangladesh abroad through propaganda and to oust the government."