Khulna: LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam on Saturday said that BNP and their foreign godfathers would not be able to topple the incumbent government even one second before the next general election.

“The next polls will be held in time and Awami League (AL) will continue to remain in power for the next four years,” he said, advising BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to wait for the polls.

He said, “Khaleda Zia will miss the next boat if she doesn’t participate in the next general election.”

Ashraf, also the AL General Secretary, came up with the remarks while speaking at the triennial council of Khulna city AL at Khulna Circuit House Maidan as chief guest.

Criticising the USA government’s attitude ahead of the January 5 general polls, the Minister said US Ambassador to Dhaka Dan W Mozena tried to foil the last general election and worked for toppling Sheikh Hasina’s government.

“Bangladesh will march towards a middle income and develop country leadership under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the minister criticized a section of news papers who are playing foul role to uproot Sheikh Hasina’s government.

He also called upon the followers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Muzibur Rahman for building a happy and prosperous nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Presidium member of AL Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim inaugurated the council by releasing balloons and pigeons in the sky.

While inaugurating the council Sheikh Selim criticized BNP’s founder Ziaur Rahman to establish war criminals politically in the country.

“There were 22,000 war criminals, who were involved in crimes against huminity during 1971. Bangabandhu Sheikh Muzibur Rahman had started their trial in 1973. But Mushtaq and Zia stopped the trial after assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975,” he said.

He, however, said “Ziaur Rahman allowed the killers to do politics after 1975 killing of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Muzibur Rahman and most of the family through the cancellation of article 12 and granting them the right to vote through the cancellation of article 38.

Terming Zia as an agent of Pakistan during the liberation war, Selim said Zia did this because he had no faith in the country.

“Those who were involved in the carnage of Bangabandhu and his family members on August 15 in 1975 and killing of our national leaders on November 3, 1975 by the anti liberation forces were rehabilitated by Ziaur Rahman. The  BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has adopted the same path through giving ministerial post to Razakar and Al-Badar commanders Nizami and Muzahid,” he added.

AL presidium member Jafarullah Chowdhury while speaking as special guest said the whole economical scenario would be changed after completeing the Padma Bridge.
He urged the youth to be a entrepreneurs and to be united for wellbeing the country to make Bangladesh a develop country by 2041.

AL joint secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif alleged that the BNP is behind militancy and terrorism in the country.

“BNP Chairpersion Khaleda Zia has been siding with war criminals he said adding that she (Khaleda) won’t take strong stand against war criminals.

He urged AL and its front organizations members to be ready for making any sacrifice in future like was in the past for the cause of the nation and build organization as a strong unit free from all bad names.


AL organizing secretary (Khulna division) ABM Mozammel Haque addressed the council as the main speaker.

Pointing out to the BNP-led orchestrated rampage, destruction and killing of innocent people to foil the January 5, 2014 election, he said Begum Zia must be held responsible for giving indulgence to those crimes against innocent people.

Chaired by city unit AL president Talukder Abdul Khleque ex-food minister Dr. Abdur Razzak, information and research secretary  Sheikh Afzal Hossain, Khulna district unit AL president and general secretary Sheikh Harun-ur-Rashid and S M Mostofa Rashidi Suza, central AL leader Begem Monnuzan Sufian, among others, addressed the council as special guests.

General Secretary of city unit AL Mizanur Rahman Mizan read out the organizing report while city unit publicity secretary Ahraful Islam read out the mourning proposal.

Lawmakers and president and general secretary in different districts, a total of 10,000 councilors and delegates, among others, also attended the inauguration session.

Later, the council session was held where incumbent president Talukder Abdul Khaleque and Mizanur Rahman Mizan were made unoppossed president and general secretary in the city unit AL.

On November 15 in 2014, the last triennial meeting was held at City’s Shaheed Hadis Park where Talukder Abdul Khaleque and Mizanur Rahman Mizan were made city unit president and general secretary.

CORR/ZA