DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday firmly criticized opposition BNP and asked if the people started to reprisal by vandalizing BNP leader’s car and torch houses what will happen then.

The premier made the assertion at a meeting held at the Awami League President’s Dhanmondi office with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

She said, “BNP wants to protect the war criminals and Jamaat and they are boycotting the election to show utmost sympathy to the Jamaat.”

While talking BNP’s claim that they are the most popular political party in the country, Hasina said: “If they are so popular why they are refraining from the election. What is the fear that prompts BNP to boycott the election?”

Referring to the two years under the last caretaker government, she said that the period was horrible and the people do not want that type of situation like 1/11 in the country anymore.

The prime minister said that she also requested the opposition leader to withdraw the hartal for the sake of the students who were appearing for junior school certificate examination but she refused.

Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Syed Ashraful Islam and Kazi Zafarullah were among others present at the meeting.

BDST: 1650 HRS, NOV 27, 2013