Bangladesh: PM Sheikh Hasina says removing Awami League from power is not an easy task

She hit out at key opposition BNP for organising anti-government protests in December instead of celebrating Bangladesh’s victory against Pakistan in the Liberation War in this month in 1971.

The ruling party chief was quoted as saying by bdnews24 that the Awami League brought down Ayub Khan during the Pakistani rule and defeated Yahya Khan in the war, but General Ziaur Rahman, the first military ruler of independent Bangladesh and the founder of the BNP, was killed in a coup.

Zia still faced protests wherever he went, Hasina said, speaking at the Awami League’s Victory Day discussion at the Krishibid Institution in Dhaka on Sunday.

“We also overthrew HM Ershad and Khaleda Zia, who held a farcical election in 1996. She did the same in 2006 seeking to add 12.3 million fake voters but the election was cancelled," she was quoted as saying by bdnews24.

“The Awami League can do it [oust a government]. But [it is not an easy task] when the Awami League is in power. Yes, they [BNP] can still conspire against the government," she said.

Hasina said her supporters and party leaders should remain vigilant against conspiracies.

“The BNP conspired against us in 2001 to hold us back in the election and the people of the country suffered for that. Everyone must keep their eyes open so that the country does not suffer again," Hasina said.