The New Nation - Internet Edition

Talha Bin Habib

In her final round of electioneering rally that lasted about 15 days, the BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday humbly called upon the countrymen to vote for 'sheaf of paddy' for continued peace, prosperity, development and protecting of the country's interest, sovereignty and independence.

"I call upon you to vote for 'sheaf of paddy' and elect the candidates of four-party alliance and register a new history just on the eve of the new year, " she said while making her clarion call to the voters at an election rally oragansied by BNP led four-party alliance at Paltan Maidan in the city.

She said the parliamentary election on December 29 is very important for the over all progress of the country. Paying her glowing tribute to freedom fighters and martyrs of the country's independence, Begum Zia started addressing the vast public rally at 4:30 pm from behind a bullet proof glass pane and amid tight security.

With the slogan of " Save the country and save the people" she also sought vote to restore democracy and uproot corruption and terrorism.

Defending the criticism made by her political opponent for committing corruption, Begum Zia said " During the rule of Awami League in monetary term the amount of corruption was Tk 17,192 crore and BNP has reduced it to Tk 413 crore in 2004".

She also promised to continue her crusade against persisting corruption.

"I promise and give you words if we are voted to power then we would take stern measures against corruption by allowing the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to accomplish its work independently and without influence," she mentioned.

The chairperson of BNP and the leader of the four-party alliance has also offered a 'politics of accommodation free from personal vengeance'.

"If they have patriotic spirit and like the country's peace and prosperity then they should give up the politics of destruction, hartal, arson and burning".

Khaleda, who has a third time record of ruling the nation, said if people of the country voted the four-party alliance to power then they would govern the country as per suggestions of the people.

" If there had been any mistakes during our tenure in the past please forgive us and help us a new start by voting us to power," she submitted in her 58-minute speech.

She said BNP would ensure price of all essential items in the buying capacity of the people and provide agricultural inputs to farmers with affordable price.

"If we are voted to power then we would work for attaining food security, extend girls education free up to degree level and ensure jobs for all,"she added.

She also came down heavily on the composition of Awami League grand alliance.

Indicating former military ruler and Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad, a key ally of the grand alliance, Khaleda said, "They have formed a grand alliance with a great thief," she said and levelled Ershad as 'snatcher of democracy and champion of corruption'.

Calling upon the new young voters she said " As a mother I do promise to you if you vote us to the power again, we will work for your happy future".

"Youths are the future of our country and we do not have time to look back and we need to march forward towards development," she mentioned.

Earlier supporters of BNP irrespective of their age and stratum started to gather at the venue since morning and it was full to the brim at 12:00 noon.

People were allowed to enter through the main gate, the only gate between Bangabandhu National Sadium and Moulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium. They had to go through several check points to enter there. They held banners that prescribed 'save the country, save the people; for the sake of democracy and development and vote for party's election symbol 'sheaf of paddy'.

BNP Chairperson introduced BNP candidates by handing over 'sheaf of paddy' to Gayeswar Chandra Roy for Dhaka-3, Abdul Hai for Dhaka-4, Salahuddin Ahmed for Dhaka- 5, Sadek Hossain Khoka for Dhaka- 6, Nasiruddin Pintu for Dhaka-7, Habibunnabi Khan Sohel for Dhaka-8, Shirin Sultana for Dhaka-9 , MA Qaiyum for Dhaka- 10, M Shahbuddin for Dhaka -11, Khandker Mahbubuddin for Dhaka -12, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal for Dhaka-13, SA Khaleq for Dhaka 14, Wing Commander (Retd) Hamidullah for Dhaka-15, Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah for Dhaka-16, Brigadier Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shan for Dhaka- 17 and Azizul Bari Helal for Dhaka-18 constituencies in the capital.

It may be mentioned that Khaleda Zia launched her election campaign on December 12 by visiting Shah Jalal's and Shah Poran's shrines in Sylhet.

Khandker Delwar Hossain, secretary general, Mirza Abbas, assistant secretary general of BNP, Barrister Abdur Razzak, assistant secretary general of Jamaat, Moulana Abdul Latif Nezami, secretary general of Islami Oikkya Jote and Moulana Mohammad Ishaq of Khelafat Majlish, among others, addressed the rally.