PM blasts BNP for making a convict its chairman

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today came down heavily on BNP for making a convict its chairman and expressed her doubt about the ability of the party to do any good to the people as "it has taken corruption as its principle".

"I want to tell the countrymen and parliament members through hounourable Speaker what work will be done by a party which has taken graft as its principle by amending its constitution," she said referring to election of Tarique Zia as the BNP chairman after its Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia landed in jail in the Zia Orphanage Trust Case.

While delivering her valedictory speech in the 19th session of the 10th Jatiya Sangsad, the Leader of the House said by electing Tarique Zia as the chairman, the BNP could plunder resources, kill people and commit corruption. "They couldn't make any welfare of the people ... it's reality," she said.

The prime minister said Begum Zia was convicted in a graft case, but her responsibility was given to such a person who was also a convict and doesn't stay in the country.

She said the responsibility of the chairman was given to convict Tarique Zia who is staying abroad. "Was not there any single person in BNP to take this responsibility," she said.

Pointing out the present condition of the BNP, the prime minister said there are a number of corruption cases against those who were supposed to get this charge. Sheikh Hasina said the court has convicted Khaleda Zia in the corruption case. "The government has nothing to do in this regard ... the court pronounced the judgement after conducting the trial for 10 years," she said.

Stating that the Anti-Corruption Commission is fully independent, Sheikh Hasina said her government doesn't want to give indulgence to graft.

"We don't want to give indulgence to corruption. The Anti-Corruption Commission is working independently. If the commission has any doubt about our any leader, minister or MP, it can question them by calling them to their office," she said.

The Leader of the House said the government doesn't make any interference in the ACC. "We won't do it ... if the graft of anybody is proved, he or she will be punished," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the ministers are appearing before the court by obeying its order. "We abide by law, court and rule ... those who will indulge in corruption or militancy must be punished," she said.

The prime minister said her government never tries to hide its own fault. "We let them conduct fair investigation," she said.

On the other hand, she said, some BNP leaders are threatening the judge who pronounced the verdict. "Would it be a teaching that thieves cannot be called thieves, killers cannot be called killers and corrupt persons cannot be called corrupt?" she questioned.

Sheikh Hsaina also asked if Bangladesh will be a sanctuary for criminals. "It will not happen and we don't want it," she said.

The Leader of the House said her government wants to establish Bangladesh as a peaceful country in the world. "We won't give any indulgence to terrorism and militancy and our drive against drugs will continue ... we won't give any concession in this regard," she asserted.

The prime minister said her government has created awareness against terrorism and militancy by involving the cross section of people. "We've created awareness in this regard taking the people of all strata with us," she said.