Hasina blasts PM for 'unabated corruption'
Staff Correspondent
Leader of the Opposition and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday took a swipe at the prime minister, her family members and cabinet colleagues for 'unabated corruption', accusing them (ruling alliance loyalists) of getting busy making quick bucks instead of governing the country."We have documents on their corruption, and there will be always another turn for us to pay back," Hasina said when lawyers of Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association and Dhaka District Bar Association met her at her party's Dhanmondi office in the afternoon. "The prime minister's two sons are so desperate that they even make money out of billboard business," alleged the AL president, adding, "Her family members have got hold of the work order to purchase spare parts for MiG-29s." She however brushed aside the allegations of corruption against her government in the controversial purchase of MiG-29s for the air force and a Frigate for navy. "I have the confidence to say that I did not make any illegal money during the Awami League stint in power." She also accused the coalition government of destroying three pillars of governance -- executive, judiciary and legislature in a planned way. "Administration and judiciary have been politicised and parliament has been made non-functional." "The parliamentary standing committees are facing quorum crisis apart from the House and this is a testimony to the government's failure in running parliament." Hasina termed the BNP-Jamaat government 'weak' and 'without adequate confidence'. "They are aware of the fact that people did not vote them to power. They came to power by promising to sell out natural resources and through rigging." "Had they had confidence in themselves, they would not have resorted to repressive acts against the AL in a bid to eliminate the opposition. "The government has been systematically killing prospective Awami League leaders," she alleged. Hasina urged the lawyers as well as commoners to unite against the misrule of the government. "Now time has come to free the people from the repression and torture of this oppressive government. I urge you all to get united to pull down this government and establish people's rights to justice." Supreme Court Bar Association President Rokanuddin Mahmud expressed doubts about the initiatives of former president Badruddooza Chowdhury. Rokan also invited Hasina to attend an opinion exchange meeting at the Supreme Court Bar. Bar leaders Barrister Amirul Islam, Mahbub Ali and M Israfil also spoke at the meeting, which was attended by senior AL leaders.
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