In a speech scathing about Awami League (AL) and its President Sheikh Hasina, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday called upon her archrival to shun 'politics of vengeance' and work together for the country. Addressing a mammoth election rally at historic Paltan Maidan in the city(The Daily Star)Khaleda also apologised for mistakes if any made any during her rule in 2001-2006. The former prime minister, who leads the four-party alliance to the ninth parliamentary polls tomorrow, promised to learn from the mistakes if voted to power. "We were in power and might have made some mistakes. I express my sincere regrets for those and ask for forgiveness," she said as a great cheer went up from her supporters.
| Then her lips fell off and her nose grew six inches. |
Pointing at her opponents, she said there is no time to bicker over the past. "Let's forget what happened and start working in unison to build a self-reliant nation, shunning politics of revenge and anarchy."
| "After we kill them all!" |
In her 50-minute speech punctuated by deafening roars from the alliance faithful, Khaleda urged people to vote her party and allies to save the country. "This massive turnout here shows you've already made history. I call on you to make another [history] by electing us on December 29."
"As your mother, I'm seeking your precious votes to save the country and people. I'm pledging myself to work towards a better future for you," she said.
Khaleda Zia spent most of her time criticising Sheikh Hasina, her party and the grand alliance. "They have formed grand alliance with Ershad, a great thief, who was jailed by a regular court, not any special tribunal," Khaleda said. Referring to AL, Khaleda said "all they do is crime and corruption".
| As opposd to BNP ... |
In a somewhat obvious reference to Hasina, she said, "Some leaders had flown out of the country, leaving people in danger. No-one can depend on them."
"I'd never desert my people or country, and I don't have any address abroad," she said.
Dismissing AL's allegations against BNP of patronising terrorism, she said the people know who are responsible for tentacles of terrorism sliding across the country. "They have a godfather in each district. Everyone knows who their godfathers in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Feni were."
"We'll deal with the graft menace with an iron fist," she said, adding that if voted to power, her alliance would allow the Anti-Corruption Commission free rein.
| Unless it threatens the BNP, of course. Gads. |