Dhaka, Oct 12: Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and her arch-rival launched scathing attacks on each other today, with the premier warning of action against the opposition as she marked a year in power. Zia was greeted by thousands of supporters at a rally in downtown Dhaka, where she promised to fulfill the promises that swept her Islamist-allied coalition to power last year.
She lashed out at former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, charging that the opposition leader was "jealous of the government's success."
"I assure all cooperation if they (the opposition) help in our efforts to develop the country, but they will face tough action if our efforts are obstructed," Zia said without elaborating.
Zia and Sheikh Hasina, who together have ruled Bangladesh for the past decade, have a bitter personal rivalry, with both women trying to scuttle the other's agenda while in power.
The two traded charges today of responsibility for crime, a key issue in last year's election. Zia has been embarrassed by reports saying violence has risen since her coalition took power.
Addressing her supporters, Zia charged that Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party is "resorting to conspiracies to tarnish the image of the government, including having a hand in crime and attacks on religious minorities."
The Awami League in turn took out advertisements in newspapers showing a bandaged and bloody map of Bangladesh with the caption, "down with evil governance." Bureau Report