ULLAPARA (Sirajganj) Jan 31 (UNB): Terming the next parliamentary polls very important for democracy, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Tuesday said the destiny of Bangladesh and its people would be determined through the elections. "The upcoming elections will decide whether independence and sovereignty of the nation will be protected and the pace of development maintained," she said urging the people to take a correct decision in the elections in 2007 like that of 2001. Addressing a big public meeting at the Akbar Ali Govt. College ground, Khaleda accused the opposition of creating chaos and unrest at the "instruction of their guardians" under a conspiracy to turn the country into a satellite state and a monopoly market of others. "They are not joining parliament, they are conspiring to cripple the economy and push the nation backward in terms of education and industrial development at the directives of their masters and with the help of hirelings," she said. Criticising the planned movement of the AL-led 14-party combine, the Prime Minister said they (AL) might create anarchy with the help of their allies but would not be able to assume power and fulfil the aspirations of the people. "They had given several ultimatums to the present elected government and demanded resignation, but people did not respond to their movement," Khaleda said, adding "when people are living in peace, a particular party lives in unhappiness." On the opposition's reform proposals about caretaker government and the Election Commission (EC), the Prime Minister said all political parties would contest the elections on a level-playing field under a non-party caretaker government.
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