Opposition leader accuses government of plotting to call foreign troops under the cover of anti-militancy fight

By M.A. Kader- Our Correspondent in Bangladesh

Dhaka, 03 May, (Asiantribune.com}: One day after the maiden speech of the prime minister Sheikh Hasina ,Bangladesh main opposition BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday alleged the government is plotting to bring foreign troops in the country under the cover of its anti-militancy fight.

Referring to the capture and execution of masterminds of militants the BNP chief said, "We have captured and controlled all of them (militants), who were later executed during the regime of past emergency government."

The government is deliberately spreading the scar of militancy everywhere in the country, even in the armed forces also, as they want to call foreign troops in Bangladesh destroying the armed forces, the former Prime Minister Khaleda said.

The labour wing of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organised the rally at historical Paltan Maidan in Dhaka marking the May day. The BNP chief cum opposition leader Khaleda Zia attended the rally as chief guest where other central leaders of the party also attended.

This was the maiden public meeting of Khaleda since the assumption of office by the present Awami Le grand alliance government on January 6.

She said The former prime minister said Hasina's administration had done nothing in the four months in office, instead it created problem in every step. She asked the government to step down if it fails to provide power, drinking water, gas and employment which were the prime minister's campaign pledges.

"Quit so that the people are not forced to bring your government down for your failure," she said.

She painted a bleak picture of 'anarchy on campuses' over the last four months.

"Universities and medical colleges have been closed one after another, teachers assaulted, is this the digital Bangladesh you dreamt of? Is this the charter of change?" she asked the government.

"If she cannot control the activists of her own party, how she will rule the country," the opposition leader asked.

Over 100 BNP leaders and workers have been killed, thousands tortured and many fled homes because of the oppression of ruling Awami League activists in the last four month all over the country, she alleged.

She dismissed the prime minister's claim that Tk 20,000 crore allotted to the power sector were siphoned out of the country during BNP-led coalition government's rule. She also made a challenge to the PM to make a probe into her claim of corruption. She also accused the PM of lying for everything.

She alleged that highest corruption was occurred during the regime of past emergency government ands also during the past Awami League government.

On the BDR- PIlkhana mutiny and killing of 57 army officers, Khaleda said the the PM claimed she saved the country from a civil war, where is civil war, she asked adding their main plan as per foreign prescription was to destroy our border guard BDR and armed forces.

Regarding the delay of submitting the probe report of BDR mutiny she said the government willfully is dillydallying to complete the probe as they wanted to hide the actual conspirators from the scene.

"It’s a deep-rooted conspiracy against the country to destroy our armed forces. The country cannot be safe to such a PM" Khaleda said.

RAB and police personnel have been posted at Paltan ground and surrounding areas including Bangabandhu National Stadium, Maolana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani Hockey Stadium and on the roofs of Shilpa Bhaban and RAJUK Bhaban.

SWAT encircled the dais while RAB roamed the outer perimeter.
Sramik Dal's president and BNP joint secretary general Nazrul Islam Khan is presiding over the meeting. Top BNP leaders were also on-stage.

BNP asked the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Friday to ensure "enough security" for the planned public meeting, party officials said.
However, there was no bullet-proof glass shield on the stage for Khaleda though the prime minister had the protection at Friday's meeting.

Leaders and workers of BNP and its associate organizations started coming to the Paltan ground in small processions from 1pm. They were checked by the security personnel before being allowed in the venue.

Earlier, on Friday the ruling Awami League president cum prime minister Sheikh Hasina addressed a rally organized by its labor wing marking the May day at her same venue.

-Asian Tribune-