DHAKA, Jan 27, 2022 (BSS) - Prime Minister and Leader of the House
Sheikh Hasina told the parliament today that BNP has to explain the
source of crore dollars it has given to lobbyists as part of their
anti-state conspiracy and tarnish country's before the world.

  "BNP has to answer and explain from where they have got lakhs or
crores of dollars to give foreign firms and how the money has been
siphoned off abroad," she said.

   The Prime Minister was speaking on the thanksgiving motion on
President's speech and delivering valedictory speech in the 16th
session of the 11th Jatiya Sangsad (JS).

   Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury prorogued this
year's maiden sitting of the parliament after accepting unanimously the
President's speech.

   Earlier, the maiden JS session of 2022 began on January 16 while
President M Abdul Hamid addressed the House on the day as per the
parliamentary practice.

  In her around 48 minutes speech, Sheikh Hasina said that crores of
dollars are being spent behind lobbyists and questioned from where
they got the foreign currencies and how did they spend those?

  "Today money is being spent behind lobbyists ahead of the election.
We must find out the account of every penny of the money and they must
have to give the account of every penny," she added.

   The premier said that the lobbyists have been hired to prevent the
trial of war criminals, thwart election, make elections questionable,
protect militants and killers of the Father of the Nation, tarnish the
image of Bangladesh and prevent the progress of Bangladesh.

   She said that BNP looted public money and siphoned off the money
abroad during their five-year regime from 2001-2006 and now they are
engaged in conspiracies and plots against Bangladesh using the money.

  Mentioning that Bangladesh is advancing on all fronts, she said:
"Those who don't like the progress, don't have patriotism,
accountability to the people and love for them and plunder public
resources, can try to hire lobbyists to destroy Bangladesh and to
mislead the people by giving untrue information.

   "It has been done not for any good purpose," she said, adding that
the PR firms have been hired by the government for enhancement of the
country's investment, export and production, and protection of the
rights of the country and its workers.

  "But, what was the purpose of the BNP?" she questioned. "The purpose
is to destroy Bangladesh and mislead the people by giving untrue
information," she observed.

  The prime minister said she has belief and faith in Bangladeshi
people that they would not be misled by the propaganda.

  "I have faith and belief in people that they will not be misled by
the information. This is my belief," she said.

   Sheikh Hasina said that they have today passed the most important
bill "Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election
Commissioners Bill, 2022" in the parliament.

  "With passage of the bill, the people's voting franchise will be
protected (more) and we will go one step ahead towards the election.
We have further protected democracy and the democracy of the people
will be established," she said.

  The prime minister said they have taken preparation to pass the bill
well before referring to the meeting with the country's President held
in 2017.

  "It is our target to pass the bill and we have done it. But no other
party has passed the bill," she said.

  Sheikh Hasina said as many as 22 amendments have been accepted as
part of the bill from the opposition parties such Jatiya Party, BNP,
Jasod, Workers Party and Gonoforum which in true sense have made the
bill as a bill of the opposition.

   "The bill becomes the bill of opposition as 22 amendments have been
taken from the opposition," she added.

  Sheikh Hasina came down heavily on the BNP, particularly military
dictator Ziaur Rahman, her wife Khaleda Zia and HM Ershad, for
destroying the country's electoral system.

  She said that Ziaur Rahman started the culture of vote rigging by
arranging yes/no vote in 1977 and later presidential election in 1981
to illegally capture the state power, violating the Constitution.
Another military dictator HM Ershad did the same thing in 1986
following the footprint of his guru Ziaur Rahman.

  The premier said they had given 23 points, including usage of
transparent ballot boxes and a voter lists with pictures removing 1.23
crore fake voters, to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

   "Recently held election to the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC)
is proof that a transparent and fair election can be held during the
Awami League regime," she continued.

   The prime minister denounced the issuing of sanction by the USA on
some officials of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) including its
former chief and incumbent Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr
Benazir Ahmed.

  Referring to the success of curbing militancy and terrorism by
Bangladesh law enforcement agencies particularly by the RAB, she said,
"I think that America has resentment on those who are success in
controlling terrorism, protecting lives and human rights of the
commoners."

  There is no benefit to entrust its responsibilities over the USA as
the BNP-Jamaat alliance are responsible for it, adding, "Whom you hold
responsible if insiders are doing harm for the state."