Awami League doesn’t do politics of vengeance: PM

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that had Awami League believed in the politics of vengeance BNP would not have existed in the country.

"Awami League doesn't do the politics of killing. Awami League doesn't believe in the politics of vengeance. Had we done so, there would not have been the existence of BNP in this country because no one other than us were more subjected to killing, repression and torture by BNP," she said. 

The prime minister made the remarks while replying to a starred question from BNP MP Rumeen Farhana (Reserved Seat-50) in parliament.

In her question, the BNP female MP said the prime minister's instructions are now needed in all the cases -- from killing people to killing mosquitoes in the country -- which indicates the fall and dysfunctional state of other institutions of the state.

The successes of the institutions of the state are prerequisite to an effective country, she said posing a question whether the ineffective institutions reflect the scenario of the overall failure of the government in running the state.

In response, Sheikh Hasina said she is the daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who dedicated his life to the wellbeing of the people of this country.

"Being his daughter, I've a different responsibility towards people. That's why I work throughout the day and night. I'm always making efforts to make all the institutions more active, not ineffective," she said, highlighting the progress of the country in different areas, which were attained due to relentless efforts of the Awami League government and tireless works of people.

Noting that these achievements were not gained automatically, she said had the institutions remained ineffective, it would have not been possible to attain such achievements.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is marching forward because the state machinery work properly. "Would the questioner been happy had spent time in sleeping till 12 pm like her (Rumeen's) leader Khaleda Zia than doing work?"

It is BNP which set the example of a failed state, she said, adding that important decisions of the State used to come from such a person who was not involved in the state machinery. "The prime minister used to remain in sleep and her son used to give decisions from Hawa Bhaban. Ministers and secretaries used to wait for directives from Hawa Bhaban," she said apparently referring to Khaleda and her son Tarique Rahman.

The prime minister criticised Rumeen for using the word 'killing' equally for people and mosquitoes in her question. "Her question is unexpected, un-parliamentary and absurd," she said.