Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said she should not be lectured about the arrangement of free and fair elections as it has been her party, Bangladesh Awami League, which established the voting rights of the people in the country.
“No need to teach me about free and neutral elections. Because, we’ve established the voting rights of the people of Bangladesh through struggles and movements under the leadership of Awami League,” she said told a press conference here.
The premier said this while replying to a question at the press conference arranged at her official residence Ganabhaban here in the afternoon about the outcomes of her recent visit to the United States to join the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
She said since such elections were held, the people voted for her party time and again. “This economic development has happened now as we’ve been in power in a row (for three consecutive terms).”
Hasina, the AL president, wondered why so many questions come now regarding the election.
“Has it become a matter of headache for all that a country has progressed so rapidly? I am also doubtful if it is an attempt that how it (this progress) can be destroyed now?” she said.
Bangladesh is due to hold the next general election in the first week of next January.
The PM said she told the international community that once Bangladesh had the government of the army, by the army and for the generals. It has changed now, she said, adding “It is we who have established the government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
Sensing foul play in the call for free and fair elections, she said, “I doubt why all are talking much about free and fair elections when the country is marching forward economically. I’ve suspicion. Actually, it is an attempt to thwart the election,” she added.
In an oblique reference to BNP, she said those who know that they won’t get votes in the election are now currying favour everywhere (with foreigners).
“I don’t know if those who are in international stage understand the ground reality, but they’ve been harping on the same string and playing the broken record,” said the PM.
On Wednesday last, PM Hasina returned home from London after wrapping up her 16-day official visit to the US and the UK.
Deputy Leader of Parliament Matia Chowdhury, Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim MP, among others, were present on the dais.
