Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday criticized BNP leaders for the hurricane lamp movement against the government's initiative to save power to protect Bangladesh from any future danger of the global skyrocketing prices of energy due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
"BNP leaders are carrying out a movement with hurricane (lamp). Give hurricane lamps in their hands, and let us work for the people of Bangladesh" she said in a slanted expression in Bangla aimed to ridicule someone using the traditional kerosene-lit lamp once common.
The prime minister was addressing a blood donation program as the chief guest marking the first day of the month of mourning, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.
Bangladesh Krishak League organized the function on the premises of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in the capital.
The prime minister said her government has reached power to every house across the country and is now taking precautionary measures to save power and energy.
"We're taking measures for saving power and energy to protect Bangladesh from any danger in future as even the developed countries like the US, UK and neighbouring India are facing difficulties," she added.
Referring to the BNP government's wholesale looting from the power sector, she said her government is taking measures to save energy for the future not for stealing like the BNP government.
The prime minister said the power generation would have been reduced if her government was involved in looting, while adding: "But the Awami League has maximized the power generation capacity to 24,000MW.”
The power generation reduced to 3,000MW from 43,000MW during the tenure of the BNP government as they were engaged in massive corruption, she said.
Her government would work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the countrymen, she added.
Awami League Presidium Member Begum Matia Chowdhury, Agriculture Minister Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Agriculture and Cooperatives Affairs Secretary Faridun Nahar Laili, Organizing Secretary Advocate Afzal Hossain, and Office Secretary Biplab Barua, spoke on the occasion.
BKL President Samir Chandra presided over the function while its General Secretary Umme Kulsum Smrity moderated it.
At the outset of the program, a one-minute silence was observed to show due respect to the martyrs of the August 15, 1975 carnage including Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his wife, three sons, and two daughters-in-law.
