Reiterating that the new parliament could be dissolved in case of a political compromise, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said it is the opposition that has created the scope for 154 MPs to get elected unopposed through its election boycott.
“It’s not our fault…why didn’t they (BNP) go to the polls,” she asked.
Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the ruling Awami League, was speaking at a discussion organised by Awami League at the auditorium of Krishibid Institution marking the great Victory Day. Deputy Leader of the House and AL presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury presided.
Describing the reason behind the election of so many MPs unopposed in the 10th general election, Hasina said the ruling party had the idea that the opposition BNP would join the election and that’s why they (ruling party) shared the seats with its alliance. “Many of our candidates withdrew their candidatures from the election,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina also mentioned there was no opposition candidates in 154 constituencies paving the path for the single candidates to get elected unopposed as the opposition boycotted it. “Had the opposition taken part in the election then the candidates in the 154 seats would not have elected uncontested,” she said.
In this connection, the Awami League chief said what actually could be done when one team goes to the field to play football and another skips it. “Ultimately, the team that takes to the field makes the shot to the empty goal bar. That is what is going on now,” she said.
Hasina also mentioned that the opposition leader is now scratching her forehead in frustration for not participating in the election. “She’s (Khaleda) now thinking how to join the election. But I’ve made my opinion public,” she said.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister said she would go for early 11th general election if the opposition leader leave the company of Jamaat and stop killing innocent people in the name of movement.
Hasina said the opposition leader has already played many tricks to stop the next election. “Frustrated, she (Khaleda) might kill more people in the coming days. So, I’ll request people to remain alert and vigil,” the premier said.
Terming the election as the constitutional right of people, the AL chief said the 10th general election of the country will be held as per the schedule. “Inshallah, the election will be held,” she asserted.
About the dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties, she said the dialogue is on and it would continue. “If both parties can reach a compromise and if the opposition party demands then we can dissolve Parliament for fresh elections,” she said.
Reacting to the recent threat by the opposition BNP that its chief Khaleda Zia would come out on the streets to participate in the ongoing agitation programmes, Hasina said: “Let’s come to he field, people will ask you why you remained silent when the Pakistan Parliament passed a proposal protesting the capital punishment of war criminal Quader Mollas. Give that answer first and then come to the field.”
Hasina said that the opposition leader had never wanted independent Bangladesh and that is why she is now silent about the Pakistan resolution.
She also ridiculed the opposition leader Khaleda Zia for her technique to remain in the house after announcing various types of agitation programmes. “Announcing the agitation programmes, she stayed at home in her AC room and chew fried chickens,” she said.
The AL chief requested the people of the country to create a resistance against razakars, al-badars and their collaborators.
AL leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, AL general secretary SyedAshraful Islam, Suranjit Sengupta, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya,Ahmed Hossain, Enamul Huq Shamim, Asaduzzaman Kamal and former Chittagong University vice chancellor Prof Abdul Mannan also spoke at the discussion meeting.
-With UNB/The Independent input
