Alliance govt does everything to rig election: Hasina

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina speaks at a discussion in memory of former AL lawmaker Sudhangshu Shekhar Halder at the auditorium of the Institution of Engineers in the city yesterday

As part of its conspiracy to snatch people's rights, the government has already politicised the Election Commission (EC) and is now trying to make the person of their choice the head of the caretaker government, she said at a discussion in memory of former AL lawmaker Sudhangshu Shekhar Halder.

Referring to the chief election commissioners' illness, Hasina said no sick person deserves to be the chief of the EC.

"We have placed electoral reform proposals to establish the people's rights and to ensure accountability and transparency of the government. If a free, fair and impartial election is held under a neutral caretaker government, the people would get the chance to elect the best person," said Hasina.

She alleged that the alliance government also prevented her party's lawmakers from speaking in the parliament.

"Under the directive of the alliance government, the Speaker switched off my mike 73 times in the House. We have given notices on different burning issues, but the ruling coalition did not give us floor," she added.

Referring to the Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's comment that the AL has been enjoying facilities without joining the House, Hasina said she (Khaleda) attended the House for only 28 days during the five-year tenure of the previous AL government but received Tk 58 lakh.

Recalling the memory of Sudhangshu Halder, the AL chief said he was a great parliamentarian and he had good knowledge of parliament.

She has learnt many things regarding parliamentary rules and regulations from him, Hasina added.

She said Sudhangshu challenged the rigging of election results of his constituency and won in the court, which proves that the election was rigged in 2001.

Hasina said the ruling party men have been plundering all the sectors and increasing prices of essentials by creating artificial crisis only to become rich. "The country has turned into 'Zia & Rahman Company' as the alliance government is doing business with everything," she added.

She also alleged that the alliance government has been harbouring the militants to snatch people's mandate in the next election.

The Memorial Meeting Committee organised the discussion at the auditorium of the Institution of Engineers in the city. Barrister Amir-Ul Islam is the convenor of the committee.

Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain, AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu, Vice-Chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud, Supreme Court Bar Association President Advocate Mahbubey Alam, Suranjit Sengupta MP, Mohammad Nasim MP, Maj. Gen. (retd.) CR Datta, Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Prof AK Azad Chowdhury, The Bangladesh Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, and Sadhana Halder, wife of Sudhangshu Halder, also took part in the discussion.