BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday urged the government to step down following the example set by British Prime Minister David Cameron. “We would like to ask Awami League to quit. You (AL) please look at Britain and learn. You’re hanging onto office usurping power illegally without people’s mandate when an elected British prime minister is stepping down after the defeat in a referendum there,” she said. Dhaka, UNB News Agency Reported.
The BNP chief was addressing an iftar party organised by Agriculturists Association of Bangladesh at the Ladies’ Club. On Friday, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced to step down by October after the UK voted to leave the European Union. Cameron had urged his country to vote Remain but was defeated by 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent, prompting him to resign on moral ground showing respect to people’s verdict.
Mentioning that Awami League government used to say they follow Britain and their democratic practice, Khaleda called upon it to hand over power to a neutral government as per people’s expectations and arrange an election following the UK’s latest development. “We’ll accept the people’s mandate whatever it might be. You should also accept the result if we come out victorious,” she said.
Khaleda alleged that the government is ruining the agriculture sector through politicisation. “Brilliant agriculture officers are being removed from their jobs as they support BNP.” She said the government is neglecting the agriculture and focusing on importing agri produces instead of taking steps to increase domestic outputs. “They’re doing this so that the ruling party can make money.”
The BNP chief alleged that the farmers are now not getting the due prices of their produces, including rice and jute, due to the government’s negligence. “The government should take measures so that the farmers get benefits by growing different agricultural crops.” She voiced concern that the farmlands are gradually declining as markets multistoried buildings and other establishments are being set up on those.
Khaleda said proper steps should be taken to save farmlands and bring khas lands and chars emerged from different rivers under cultivation to make Bangladesh self-reliant in food. The BNP chief said her party will attach the topmost importance to agriculture sector for its development if it returns to power. She also emphasised carrying out extensive researches on agriculture for the sustainable development of the sector.
