Source: The New Nation - Internet Edition
Khaleda assures no revenge if voted to power
UNB, Dhaka
Assuring no revenge action for her ordeals in the interim period if voted to power, embattled ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said that her party is fully prepared to accept people's verdict in the parliamentary elections being held Monday.
"I consider members of the armed forces as the extended part of my family," she said in her pre-election televised speech, adding, "Our programmes and pledges would continue to ensure their welfare and interests, make armed forces stronger and bring them closer to the people."
The BNP chairperson recalled that during the state of emergency, she, her family, party and people from different walks of life and professions were subject to "injustice" and there is propaganda by the opponents that if they form the next government, the members of the armed forces might be subject to reprisals for their 'special role' in the interregnum.
"I want to inform everyone that we never believe in revenge and vengeance. We will take our revenge through making our armed forces stronger, more professional and pro-people," said Khaleda on a reconciliatory note.
She also assured that there would be no reprisals against members of the civil administration, police, BDR, Ansar, civil society, media and other professionals who were forced to resort to irregularities in the last two years.
She expressed her confidence that the people would again give her the mandate for saving the country, securing independence and sovereignty and uplift the nation on higher planes of development. "I have full confidence in your judgment and we are fully ready to accept people's verdict," she said.
The immediate-past premier made the appeal and assurances in her wrapping-up speech aired on Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar on the eve of the crucial election on which hinges Bangladesh's democratic transition after two years of emergency regime.
The BNP chairperson urged the voters to keep a watchful eye so that there cannot be rigging, mechanism, forgery and partiality.
She forewarned that if people voted believing in rhetoric and "false" assurances of other parties, it would be disastrous for the country. "Past speaks as to who kept promises, who didn't."
Khaleda said, "In this election, you have to choose if you want peace and stability or want unrest and anarchy. Do you want to keep Bangladesh as a sovereign country or you want the country to be run at foreign dictates? Do you want schools, colleges, hospitals, bridges, culverts, roads and construction of multistoried buildings or only hollow slogans, speeches, propaganda, torching-burning and devastations of logi-boithas."
She also questioned if people want good economic management or financial anarchy and share-market collapse, national unity or divisions, development and production or the country being foreign markets.
The immediate-past Prime Minister said, "Irrespective of religion and colours we have fought together for language. (We have) dedicated lives for independence and democracy. Fortunes of all of us are tied together to the stability and development of the country."
Urging people to come forward to stop propaganda against the country both at home and abroad, she said, "Be vocal against efforts to tarnish the dignity of the country."
"Join us to save the country and people," Khaleda said with reference to the main theme of her party manifesto.
She assured that like in the past she would pass any test of patriotism and would succeed. "I also want to assure that I will give befitting return of your confidence."
The BNP chairperson said that in this election they are attaching utmost importance to issues like the independent entity of the country, state sovereignty and national dignity. "At the time when foreign ships are within our maritime boundary the issue is even more important."
Describing country's armed forces as first front line of national defence, she said she has strong confidence in the armed forces. "My strong belief that they will remain calm, determined and neutral in protecting national security, peace, stability, public interests and democracy."
Khaleda Zia noted that evil forces from home and abroad do not want to let BNP go to power due to the party's political philosophy of taking the country forward through its twin-powers of democracy and development.
The former Premier said, "I have run governments with your support. I leave it to you to judge my successes and failures."
About the BNP election manifesto, she said the difference between manifestos of her party and others is BNP's programmes could be implemented.
The BNP chairperson urged young and female voters to cast their votes for her party which she termed symbol of youth.
Khaleda assures no revenge if voted to power
UNB, Dhaka
Assuring no revenge action for her ordeals in the interim period if voted to power, embattled ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said that her party is fully prepared to accept people's verdict in the parliamentary elections being held Monday.
"I consider members of the armed forces as the extended part of my family," she said in her pre-election televised speech, adding, "Our programmes and pledges would continue to ensure their welfare and interests, make armed forces stronger and bring them closer to the people."
The BNP chairperson recalled that during the state of emergency, she, her family, party and people from different walks of life and professions were subject to "injustice" and there is propaganda by the opponents that if they form the next government, the members of the armed forces might be subject to reprisals for their 'special role' in the interregnum.
"I want to inform everyone that we never believe in revenge and vengeance. We will take our revenge through making our armed forces stronger, more professional and pro-people," said Khaleda on a reconciliatory note.
She also assured that there would be no reprisals against members of the civil administration, police, BDR, Ansar, civil society, media and other professionals who were forced to resort to irregularities in the last two years.
She expressed her confidence that the people would again give her the mandate for saving the country, securing independence and sovereignty and uplift the nation on higher planes of development. "I have full confidence in your judgment and we are fully ready to accept people's verdict," she said.
The immediate-past premier made the appeal and assurances in her wrapping-up speech aired on Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar on the eve of the crucial election on which hinges Bangladesh's democratic transition after two years of emergency regime.
The BNP chairperson urged the voters to keep a watchful eye so that there cannot be rigging, mechanism, forgery and partiality.
She forewarned that if people voted believing in rhetoric and "false" assurances of other parties, it would be disastrous for the country. "Past speaks as to who kept promises, who didn't."
Khaleda said, "In this election, you have to choose if you want peace and stability or want unrest and anarchy. Do you want to keep Bangladesh as a sovereign country or you want the country to be run at foreign dictates? Do you want schools, colleges, hospitals, bridges, culverts, roads and construction of multistoried buildings or only hollow slogans, speeches, propaganda, torching-burning and devastations of logi-boithas."
She also questioned if people want good economic management or financial anarchy and share-market collapse, national unity or divisions, development and production or the country being foreign markets.
The immediate-past Prime Minister said, "Irrespective of religion and colours we have fought together for language. (We have) dedicated lives for independence and democracy. Fortunes of all of us are tied together to the stability and development of the country."
Urging people to come forward to stop propaganda against the country both at home and abroad, she said, "Be vocal against efforts to tarnish the dignity of the country."
"Join us to save the country and people," Khaleda said with reference to the main theme of her party manifesto.
She assured that like in the past she would pass any test of patriotism and would succeed. "I also want to assure that I will give befitting return of your confidence."
The BNP chairperson said that in this election they are attaching utmost importance to issues like the independent entity of the country, state sovereignty and national dignity. "At the time when foreign ships are within our maritime boundary the issue is even more important."
Describing country's armed forces as first front line of national defence, she said she has strong confidence in the armed forces. "My strong belief that they will remain calm, determined and neutral in protecting national security, peace, stability, public interests and democracy."
Khaleda Zia noted that evil forces from home and abroad do not want to let BNP go to power due to the party's political philosophy of taking the country forward through its twin-powers of democracy and development.
The former Premier said, "I have run governments with your support. I leave it to you to judge my successes and failures."
About the BNP election manifesto, she said the difference between manifestos of her party and others is BNP's programmes could be implemented.
The BNP chairperson urged young and female voters to cast their votes for her party which she termed symbol of youth.