The New Nation - Internet Edition

Talha bin Habib from Barisal

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday called upon the voters to cast their vote in favour of BNP-led four-party alliance to 'save the country and save the people.

" I call upon you to vote for 'Sheaf of Paddy' to get over the current crisis prevailing in the country," she said while addressing an election rally at Bells Park in Barisal in the afternoon. Mojibur Rahman Sarwar, city president and Air Vice Marshall (Retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, former Home Minister and four-party alliance candidates from Barisal and Patuakhali Sadars respectively also addressed the rally.

Mentioning the present government's rule, the former Prime Minister said "People do not want to see them in power any more". She claimed the country had lagged behind about twenty years in the nearly two years rule of the interim government.

She said that price of essential commodities shot up beyond the purchasing power of the commoners, investment declined sharply and many people were made unemployed as their shops at different wayside hats and bazars were demolished during the present regime. Citing persecution by the government, the BNP Chairperson said, " I and my family members were tortured and I came out through the legal process of law".

In her 30 minutes' address, Begum Zia said any attempt in rigging the polls will not be accepted and the people of the country would foil any conspiracy regarding election on December 29. Earlier the BNP Chairperson started for Barisal from her Dhaka Cantonment residence at around 9:30am. She stopped at the stadium in Munshiganj en route to address supporters and canvass votes for BNP candidate Shah Moazzem who is running for Munshiganj-1.

In her rally at Srinagar upazila stadium in Munshiganj the Chairperson of BNP pledged to complete the long cherished 'Padma Bridge' and bring down the prices of essential commodities if voted to power.

Begum Zia, who had started her election campaign on December 12, urged the people to be united and remain vigilant to foil any conspiracy against the country.

She said if the people of the country vote for the right party in the forthcoming parliamentary election on December 29 then it is possible to get over the present crises in the country.

"Only the BNP-led four-party alliance will be able to free the country and the nation from the present strangulating situation".

Mentioning the stalled parliamentary election in the last year, the Chairperson of BNP said, "A particular party and section conspired in the January 22, 2007, election knowing that it would not be able to win. That's why the election was not held.

She said the conspiracy is still going on to halt the peace, progress and development of the country.

She asked people to bring an end to that conspiracy by voting for the right representative.

Citing BNP's sheaf of paddy symbol as the sign of development, prosperity, democracy, independence and sovereignty, Begum Zia said " You have to vote for the sheaf of paddy to safeguard the country and people".

Begum Zia, in her continued election rallies that were launched on December 12, promised the voters if voted to power BNP would bring progress and development.

She also addressed another rally at Louhajang upazila Bazar and sought votes for Munshiganj-2 candidate Mizanur Rahman Sinha.

On her way back to the capital she is scheduled to address at rallies at Jhalakathi, Faridpur and Manikganj.