Resist vote buying with 'looted' money: Hasina
Sunday, 28 December 2008
CHITTAGONG, Dec 27 (UNB): Awami League president Sheikh Hasina Saturday pledged to build Chittagong as commercial capital and the port as a modern seaport of South Asia, alongside all-round development of the country, if voted to power through Monday's crucial polls.
Addressing a huge election rally at the historic Laldighi Maidan in the final public showing before the national elections, she urged the people to resist if BNP tried to buy votes with their "looted money" on December 29.
"BNP will give you money one day for exploiting you for five years…You now decide whether you will take money for one day or remain happy for five years," she said.
Referring to her party's election manifesto styled "charter of change" and Vision-2021, the former premier said if back to power, she would bring down prices of essentials and build up poverty-and militancy-free modern Bangladesh.
"Vote is your constitutional right. Elect your representative according to your choice. We will build Bangladesh in the spirit of the liberation war," she told the crowded rally.
Hasina, who reached the port city by road from Dhaka, criticised the five-year BNP-Jamaat rule for amassing illegal wealth through corruption tarnishing the image of the country abroad. "We want to restore Bangladesh's image," she said, urging the people to "save the country from falling back into the grips of looters".
She also pledged to construct a tunnel through the Karnaphuli river if she gets people's electoral mandate.
Hasina mentioned that she survived several attempts on her life, including one made at Laldighi under the Ershad regime. "I don't care these attacks on me. I want to stay beside my people and I will struggle for their emancipation. By shedding last drop of my blood I will try to protect these people."
She introduced her party and the grand alliance candidates contesting the polls from 16 parliamentary constituencies in Chittagong and sought vote for bringing about a change.
The AL chief said the people would have to choose whether they want peace and cheaper prices of essential commodities or go on tolerating corruption and bribery.
On her last campaign trail she earlier addressed seven wayside election rallies at Daudkandi, Chandina, Alekarchar, Feni, Chhagalnaiya, Mirersarai and Sitakunda.
Addressing a rally at Feni Govt High School ground in support of Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Hasina said the BNP candidate for Feni-2 was arrested by police with 19 firearms. "If the BNP-led alliance is elected, they will govern the country with such terrors and godfathers."
Addressing a huge election rally at the historic Laldighi Maidan in the final public showing before the national elections, she urged the people to resist if BNP tried to buy votes with their "looted money" on December 29.
"BNP will give you money one day for exploiting you for five years…You now decide whether you will take money for one day or remain happy for five years," she said.
Referring to her party's election manifesto styled "charter of change" and Vision-2021, the former premier said if back to power, she would bring down prices of essentials and build up poverty-and militancy-free modern Bangladesh.
"Vote is your constitutional right. Elect your representative according to your choice. We will build Bangladesh in the spirit of the liberation war," she told the crowded rally.
Hasina, who reached the port city by road from Dhaka, criticised the five-year BNP-Jamaat rule for amassing illegal wealth through corruption tarnishing the image of the country abroad. "We want to restore Bangladesh's image," she said, urging the people to "save the country from falling back into the grips of looters".
She also pledged to construct a tunnel through the Karnaphuli river if she gets people's electoral mandate.
Hasina mentioned that she survived several attempts on her life, including one made at Laldighi under the Ershad regime. "I don't care these attacks on me. I want to stay beside my people and I will struggle for their emancipation. By shedding last drop of my blood I will try to protect these people."
She introduced her party and the grand alliance candidates contesting the polls from 16 parliamentary constituencies in Chittagong and sought vote for bringing about a change.
The AL chief said the people would have to choose whether they want peace and cheaper prices of essential commodities or go on tolerating corruption and bribery.
On her last campaign trail she earlier addressed seven wayside election rallies at Daudkandi, Chandina, Alekarchar, Feni, Chhagalnaiya, Mirersarai and Sitakunda.
Addressing a rally at Feni Govt High School ground in support of Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Hasina said the BNP candidate for Feni-2 was arrested by police with 19 firearms. "If the BNP-led alliance is elected, they will govern the country with such terrors and godfathers."