Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday criticised the tenure of former president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and said the party’s multiparty democracy was meant for the rehabilitation of war criminals and running the country imposing curfew.Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, was addressing a function at her official residence Ganabhaban when the leaders and workers of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) went to meet her marking the 70th founding anniversary of the organisation. She also instructed the BCL men to remain alert against those who oppose the independence of the country.

The AL president said Bangladesh earned independence through the liberation war and under the leadership of Bangabandhu. "So we don't move bowing down our head ... we always move keeping our head high," she said. Coming down heavily on Khaleda Zia for her comments about the Padma Bridge construction, the premier said making the nonsense remarks, the BNP leader has understood that she has no ability to build such a bridge.

"Any person who has a little bit sense and who has some knowledge in his or her head must not utter those words. Making this nonsense remarks, Khaleda Zia has understood that she has no ability to construct such a bridge," she said.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, at a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) on Tuesday, said that the under construction multipurpose Padma Bridge is risky to get on as it is being constructed of patchwork.

"The Padma Bridge won't be constructed during the Awami League's rule. Even, if they somehow construct

the bridge, please don’t get on it as there’ll be huge risk,” Khaleda told the discussion.

The prime minister said that if Khaleda Zia has some knowledge in her head she might know how a bridge is constructed.

“Some knowledge which Khaleda Zia has are used for making money through embezzling and stealing, burning and killing people, and she can only do these evil works,” she said.

The prime minister said the World Bank put corruption blame on the government regarding the Padma Bridge construction.

“But we had challenged the World Bank’s allegations, saying that no graft took place in this regard ... we could do this as we’ve honest courage,” she said.

Hasina also directed the BCL leaders and workers to pursue education attentively, saying that education is very much necessary for giving leadership to the country. “You’ll have to pursue education of all disciplines like science, technology, literature and culture ... nobody can develop himself or herself and the country couldn’t be built without education,” she said.

The PM advised the BCL leaders and activists to take forward the country holding the main principles of their organisation. “You’ll have to advance towards peace and progress by holding the torch of education,” she said.

The premier also asked them to literate the children who remain out of literacy. “While going to your villages, you’ll have to encourage the illiterate children in study ... it’s my request to you on the occasion of the Chhatra League founding anniversary,” she said.

BCL President Saifur Rahman Sohag and General Secretary SM Zakir Hossain also spoke at the function held at the west lawn of Ganabhaban, while AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader was present on the dais. At the outset of the function, the BCL leaders greeted the prime minister by presenting flower bouquets.