Ruling out the possibility of holding any early election, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said no such situation has been created in the country to hold the polls before the scheduled time.
“Election can be held anytime in a democratic system. But no such appalling situation has been created in the country for which we need to hold early election,” she said.
The Prime Minister came up with the remark at a press conference arranged at her official residence Ganobhaban to brief journalists about the outcome of her just-concluded visit to Cambodia.
Replying to a question whether the government will take any step to bring BNP in the election, Sheikh Hasina said it is BNP’s own decision whether it will participate in the polls or not.
“Taking part in the election is the duty of a political party in any democratic system. Those who don’t believe in democratic system will not join the polls… we have nothing to do,” she said while replying to a question of another journalist over the same issue.
The Prime Minister visited Cambodia on December 3-5, 2017 at the invitation of her Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.
Responding to a question, the Prime Minister asked BNP chief Khaleda Zia to apologise to the nation for her crimes, including August 21 grenade attack, killing SAMS Kibria, Ahsanullah Mastar, unleashing terror attacks in the country before and after the 10th general election. Reacting to Khaleda Zia’s recent remarks, Hasina said, “Mercy! What’s mercy? Who’ve sought mercy from her (Khaleda)? Khaleda should apologise to the nation.”
Delivering her self-defence statement before a court, Khaleda Zia on November said, “I clearly announced that I’ve personally forgiven her [Hasina], despite Sheikh Hasina’s continuous indecent statements and vengeful behaviour against me and Shaheed Ziaur Rahman’s family members. I won’t indulge in politics of vengeance against her.”
Talking about the next parliamentary election, Hasina said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will have to take part in the next general election giving an undertaking.
“She won’t make any sort of mistake as she did last time…Khaleda Zia will take part in the election giving undertaking,” Hasina said.
Replying to a query whether she will call the BNP chief to sit in dialogue for the next election, the Prime Minister said the government and herself will not go for any dialogue with BNP and its chief Khaleda.
“I had called her in 2014 to sit for a dialogue…I was then scolded by her … I don’t want to hear anymore scolds,” the PM said. She also mentioned that those who have no minimum courtesy there is no need to sit for dialogue with them.
Responding to a question what type of government she wanted to see next time when the 100th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50th anniversary of the country’s Independence will celebrated, Hasina said she wanted to see the pro-liberation forces to be there who will work for the welfare of people, uphold the spirit of the Liberation War and want to build the country with the spirit of the Liberation War.
