Anti-graft drive, reform to go on if AL voted to power

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Detained former prime minister and Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina yesterday said if her party forms the government, reforms and the ongoing drive against corruption would continue uninterrupted as per the law.

Acting Awami League President Zillur Rahman quoting Hasina told this to journalists on the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises after having an hour-long meeting with her at the sub-jail.

A special court gave 10 defence lawyers the permission to meet Hasina at the sub jail. The same court had fixed Thursday for the hearing on charge framing in the Tk 3-crore barge-mount graft case filed against her.

“If Awami League assumes power, the drive against corruption will continue as per the law while reforms will go on and remain uninterrupted,” Zillur, also Hasina’s lawyer, quoted Hasina as saying.

Hasina also said if Awami League is given the opportunity, people will be able to have rice at Tk 15/16 per kg and prices of other essentials would be halved.

“If Allah provides us with the opportunity, we will feed people rice at Tk 15/16 per kg and prices of other essentials will be reduced to half,” Zillur added quoting Hasina.

Zillur also expressed concern about her health saying she is not receiving proper treatment and she is suffering from high blood pressure.

“This is inhumane. She is prescribed medicine over telephone and without her doctor’s opinion,” Zillur added.

Zillur said he wonders how the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman can be involved in corruption when she has distributed all her properties for the welfare of the people.

“The government confuses donation with extortion. The government is making a mistake,” said one of the counsels of Sheikh Hasina advocate Qamrul Islam.

Following the comments, advocate Abdul Mannan Khan said, “Hundreds of crores of taka is being given as aid to the Sidr-affected people. This is donation. If donations were not made, no development work can be done.”

He also said the power plant installation job was given to the firm that gave the lowest rate considering the then market rate.

“The lowest bidder that participated in the tender was non-responsive. Non-responsive tender is not a tender in the eyes of law. So, the job was given to the second-lowest bidder,” said Mannan adding that no illegal facilities were given through the tender that was floated to minimise power crisis and people’s sufferings.

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