Dhaka – Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Monday renewed her offer to BNP to have a dialogue for the next election in the country, but not for any early polls.
“I’ll urge all, including the opposition leader, to come up for a peaceful dialogue shunning terrorism and violence, and parting the company of war criminals and militant Jamaat. There’ll be a solution after the dialogue over the next election,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina, also the Prime Minister of the interim government, was addressing a crowded press conference at the lawn of her official residence Ganobhaban just a day after the 10th national election.But for that, the PM said, everyone has to have patience, tolerance, and stop the acts of all sorts of political violence.
Responding to a question whether her call is for the early election or mid-term one, she said in her written statement she did not mention anything about any early election. “I’ve said about the next election …the election will be held when it comes,” she said.
From the press conference, Hasina directed the administration, the army and law enforcement agencies to work sincerely for taking stern actions to stop post-election terrorism and violence.
“I’m making it clear that the first job of our elected government will be to save the lives and property of people and public property at any cost,” she said.
Hasina also categorically said her government’s previous stance of zero tolerance for militancy and terrorism will continue in the coming days where militancy and communal elements will be dealt with an iron hand.
“The trial for war crimes will continue and the verdicts will be executed,” she added.
The AL chief thanked the leaders and diplomats of the United Nations and all friendly countries for their sincere efforts and initiatives to continue democracy and economic development of the country.
She also sought cooperation from all international quarters for the continued peace, political stability, constitutional system and democratic process in the country.
Asked about the voter turnout in the election, Hasina said she is happy with the number of voters who cast their votes. “The percentage will be given by the Election Commission after getting all results in their hands, but I’m satisfied with the fact that people have managed to cast their votes defying all adverse situation created by the opposition party.”
The Prime Minister said that this is enough for her what the country’s people have cast their votes in Sunday’s elections.
Hasina said the election would have been more competitive and positive if the opposition party along with all other parties had taken part in the election. “We all had expected that the opposition will participate in the election for strengthening democracy and maintaining the continuity of the constitutional process.”
In this connection, the premier said she had repeatedly called upon the opposition leader to sit for dialogue and political compromise. “But, she (Khaleda Zia) didn’t,” Hasina said adding that the opposition leader now lost her all hopes.
But, Hasina said, she is ready to sit with all in the greater interest of the country’s people to maintain the democratic process. “But it’ll depend on the opposition leader.”
The Awami League President, however, mentioned that she (Khaleda) will no longer remain the opposition leader in the next Parliament as she is now.
Talking about the dialogue, Hasina reiterated that BNP should sever ties with Jamaat and shun terrorism and violence for a fruitful dialogue in the future.
Asked whether there would be ay sanction on Bangladesh, Hasina said it was unfortunate that the BNP-Jamaat enforced hartals and conducted terrorist activities so that the elections could not take place, but the country’s people took part in the polls spontaneously defying all calls for halting the polls.
“Elections took place in many countries even in worse situation than this, and we also have seen those. Those elections also got acceptability…Now why the question of sanction will come for Bangladesh, what is the fault of Bangladesh?” she questioned.
Hasina went on saying, “Those who advocate for sanction don’t believe in the country’s independence and democratic practice because they don’t have the importance when there is a democratic environment.”
The Prime Minister also said those who do not want democracy, independence and existence of Bangladesh and also want to destroy the country, but they will not be able to fulfill their evil desire as the people of the country are with us.
Replying to another question about the abnormal increase in wealth by some of the party ministers, MPs, she said if there is any such case, the Anti Corruption Commission would take steps. “Our government has never given shelter to the corrupt and I won’t do either as I’ve no weakness in this regard.”
Asked about the latest condition of Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad, now at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka Hasina said he was fine, receiving treatment and passing his time playing golf. -UNB
