Resist terrorists to hold peaceful UZ polls

"I would like to tell the people to stay alert about the terrorists, severe ties with them and boycott them (terrorists) socially," she said.

The Prime Minister said this in reply to a supplementary raised by Tariqat Federation lawmaker MA Awal in the House during the question-answer session.

Sheikh Hasina proper actions would be taken so that terrorist activities do not occur centering the upazila polls.

Steps would be taken to gear up activities of the law enforcement and intelligence agencies to arrest the identified terrorists.

The Prime Minister said it is very unfortunate for the people of the country that BNP-Jamaat always patronizes, nurtures and establishes the terrorists.

"Patronizing, nurturing and establishing the terrorists are the character of the BNP-Jamaat," she said, adding it was BNP- Jamaat that did not allow the people to go to the polling centres in the January 5 elections.

She said the BNP-Jamaat obstructed the people to go to the polling centres by unleashing militant and terrorist acts. "They torched and damaged 448 primary schools and over 250 secondary schools and other educational institutions chosen as polling centres," she said.

The Prime Minister congratulated the people for casting their votes in the January 5 polls ignoring all impediments created by BNP- Jamaat.

Mentioning that BNP was founded by a military dictator, while Jamaat is an anti-liberation force, Sheikh Hasina said it is usual that peace and security could not be established when the political parties like BNP and Jamaat are united.

"We have seen the evidences of vote rigging during the BNP- Jamaat government," she said, adding the military dictator had introduced this culture during his rule.

The Leader of the House said Awami League is a party of mass people which brought independence of the country under the leadership of Bangabandhu.

She said the aim of her party is to establish the spirit of the War of Liberation and ensure all basic rights, including voting of the people.

"So when Awami League goes to power all elections are held peacefully as victory or defeat is not a big matter for the party, rather staging peaceful polls and ensuring democratic process are the main issue for Awami League, she said.

Responding to a question from treasury bench member MS Akbar about the self-contradictory stance of BNP-Jamaat on any election result, the Leader of the House said the government has nothing to do in this regard as it is their inherent character.

She, however, mentioned that their character could be changed if the people rejected them through building opinion.