Bangladesh PM urges not to vote for those indulged in terrorism, corruption

Dhaka (Bangladesh), Mar. 22 (ANI): Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the people not to vote for those who have indulged in corruption, terrorism and militancy and killed people in arson attacks as they would push the country towards destruction again. Speaking at a mammoth rally in Magura on Tuesday, the Prime Minister also sought support and blessing of her fellow citizens to make Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed and peaceful nation in South Asia by 2041, the Dhaka Tribune quoted BSS as saying. Blasting the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Prime Minister said Awami League was defeated in the 2001 election because of a conspiracy cooked up by the Indian intelligence agency RAW and the U.S. to take control of the country's natural gas reserves. She also said the people of Magura had faced many difficulties when the BNP came to power in 2001. Referring to the massive vote manipulation by the BNP during a by-poll in a Magura constituency in March 1994, Hasina said the BNP's vote-rigging tendency has now become a stain on the country's electoral history. The Prime Minister said the government is implementing various programmes, including providing free textbooks and financial assistance, to inspire students to pursue education. She urged imams, teachers and parents to keep a constant vigil so children do not get involved in militancy, terrorism and drug addiction. (ANI)