New Minister and Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam on Sunday said the new government has assumed power for five years as per the Constitution. “Of course, we’re here for five years. You (journalists) please go through the Constitution and then you’ll see what’s there,” he said. Syed Ashraf came up with the remark while talking to reporters at Bangabhaban lawn soon after taking oath as new minister. He said Bangladesh is no longer a ‘bottomless basket’ case infamously dubbed by former US Secretary of State Kissinger during the regime of Richard Milhous Nixon, the 37th President of the United States. “It’s pointless to intimidate us with bugbear, MiG and the 7th fleet….those days are gone much ago,” Syed Ashraf said. Sought his comment on the criticisms by foreign countries, he questioned, “Have we asked them to recognise us (elections). It’s the people of Bangladesh to decide. The foreigners have nothing to gain by intimidating us.” Asked about dropping some influential figures from the new cabinet, Ashraf said the Prime Minister relieved those who failed to perform their duties properly. About dialogue with BNP, he said the next election will be held when there will be a consensus. “But they (BNP) will have to cut ties with Jamaat and militancy. They’ll have to shun the path of destructive politics, too.” – UNB
