Hasina sees plot to capture power

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday accused the opposition of hatching a conspiracy to capture power through devious means and not by democratic procedures. "They don't want elections, democracy or economic freedom. They're trying to divert the country onto a different course destroying the democratic process," she said, while presenting the prestigious Independence Day Award at the Osmany Memorial Hall.

The highest national award is given for outstanding performance in different fields and for contribution to national development and progress. One gold medal, taka 50,000 and a citation are included in the award. Bangladesh observes Independence Day today .

"We will have to protect democracy and the voting rights of the people at any cost," said Hasina, calling upon the people to resist all conspiracy for the economic uplift of the country. Without a stable democracy economic development is not possible, she said. Questioning the justification of calling hartals (shutdowns) by the BNP-led opposition alliance, the Prime Minister said she had offered elections and declared she would hand over power to the caretaker government after April 17. But by issuing an ultimatum the opposition leader has blocked the way of understanding and called hartals to causse the suffering of the people, she observed.

Hasina said she has nothing to gain from politics, for which she had lost her parents, brothers and other close relatives. "I am in politics only for the people. I'm trying my best to ensure a better economic condition for the people of my country and I'm ready to make any sacrifice," she said.

The Prime Minister said she had already brought about some changes in the economic scenario, attaining self-sufficiency in food and achieving success in other economic sectors. She said during her rule economic growth was nearly six per cent while the per capita income has increased and literacy improved.