Trials of 1971 war criminals will stop if the Awami League doesn’t return to power, says party chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“The upcoming election will be a very tough one. Do keep in mind that the war crimes trials will stop if we don’t win. Poverty will rise, social security schemes will be hampered as well as literacy rate will fall,” she told party leaders and activists on Saturday.
Her remarks came while addressing the party’s extended meeting at the Ganabhaban, meant to interact with grassroots leaders.
Being an Awami League activist does not mean making a fortune, she said before adding: “That’s what the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami does; corruption, embezzlement even amassing donations for orphanages.”
Urging grassroots leaders to highlight the Awami League government’s development efforts, Hasin said that their campaign should focus on that the party’s ‘strength is the people’.
“Your job is to strengthen the party and make the people understand it that the Awami League works for them.”
On the issue of internal feud, the Awami League called on activists to work together for the party-nominated candidates.