She launched a blistering attack on her arch political rival over the arson attacks by opposition activists on the nation’s Independence Day.
“Your true face has come out. Bangladesh does not have room for those who do not believe in its independence and who try to save collaborators (of Pakisanis) who opposed its freedom”, said the Prime Minister.
“Stop annoying people of Bangladesh. Do not burn them to death. Go to your beloved Pakistan”, she remarked.
“Go there (Pakistan). You will be happy there. Please do not give us more pain.”
The Prime Minister was speaking at a discussion marking the nation’s 42nd independence anniversary at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
Khaleda had said at a rally in Joydebpur that Hasina would not even be able to flee the country once she was pushed from power.
Hasina shot back, “She has spoken of my escape. I will remain here. This is my homeland.”
“She was born in India. She does not have any sentiments for this country.”
The Awami Leagyue President even mocked Khaleda by speaking in amateur Urdu to say, “Take the love you have for Pakistan and go there.”
She claimed the opposition chief had an escapist attitude and said, “Why did she escape before the BDR mutiny? Did she know about it before? Where did she hide? … These are my questions.”
Hasina termed the BNP chief “the leader of liberation struggle’s defeated forces”, and said “She knows very well that people of Bangladesh will not vote for her.”
About the BNP Chairperson’s purported warning of an intervention by the army into the country’s political scenario, Hasina said, “She (Khaleda Zia) no longer likes democracy. So she is provoking the army. She is fully invested in destroying democracy.”
Hasina warned her, saying, “Do not think this is 1975. Its 2013 and the world has changed a lot.”
Without being specific, Hasina alleged Khaleda was working on some vested quarters’ advice to ‘destroy democracy’. She warned that such conspiracies would not work as the people were more conscious.
The Awami League chief said the opposition leader had again resorted to killing people. “It seems she doesn’t feel good without spilling blood ... Her bloodthirsty face has become apparent.”
Hasina also criticised her chief adversary for enforcing Mar 27-28 shutdowns, saying the BNP claimed that its founder and Khaleda’s husband Ziaur Rahman had proclaimed independence on this day.
