report in The Daily Star, May 16, 2023
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said an election-time government can be formed with the parties having representation in parliament, although the next general election will be held following the Westminster-style of democracy in Britain.
“We will hold the election like it is conducted in Britain … . We can show our generosity if any MP from the political parties having representation in parliament expresses the desire to join the election-time government. We are ready to welcome them,” she said.
Hasina was addressing a press conference at the Gono Bhaban yesterday afternoon. The event was organised to brief the media about the outcome of her recent visits to Japan, the US, and the UK, reports BSS.
Mentioning that the Awami League showed such generosity previously, the premier said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was asked to give the name of her party’s representative for the polls-time government ahead of the 2014 national election, but the BNP did not.
“They [BNP] are not in parliament now. There is nothing to think about,” she said.
All seven BNP MPs resigned from the Jatiya Sangsad in December last year as part of the party’s anti-government movement.
Asked if the government would hold any talks with those political parties who are now waging an anti-government movement, the premier said, “Why would we call them to talks? Their demands are not clear.”
Talking about the US dollar crisis, Hasina said the crisis is not only in Bangladesh, but across the world.
“There is no serious crisis [of dollar in Bangladesh]. During the BNP’s rule in 2006, the country had forex reserves of only $0.744 billion. But now we have $31.22 billion.”
She said the IMF provided a loan to Bangladesh as the country has the capability to repay it and the country’s economy has not become weak.
Asked if there was any reason to be afraid of following her statement that the government won’t buy anything from those countries who imposed sanctions, the PM said, “I made a decision in this regard and told the finance and planning ministries to include a clause [in the related rules] stating that we won’t buy anything from those who would impose sanctions. What is to be afraid of regarding this?”
The AL chief said they will make a declaration on developing “Smart Bangladesh” in the party’s next election manifesto.
She said her success is that she has been able to turn the country into a developing one. However, those who opposed the country’s independence, and killed Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won’t like it, the PM added.
Hasina said she would take part in the next election because she couldn’t complete the process of turning the country into a developing nation by 2024 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “I hope to make it happen by 2026.”
The AL president said she has been working for the welfare of the people.
Responding to a question about announcing dearness allowance for journalists, the premier said she has a special feeling for journalists as her father worked as a journalist for some time, reports UNB.
She said her government granted permission to a number of private television channels and newspapers aiming to create employment for journalists and ensure their betterment.
Hasina said her government in 2015 announced that dearness allowance would be given to the government employees every year considering the increased inflation.
She said the government can do it for its employees, but the newspapers and TV channels are being run under private ownerships.
The PM hoped that the owners of the media outlets would take necessary measures to this end.
Hasina expressed gratefulness to Allah for saving Bangladesh from Cyclone Mocha. She said her government had taken adequate preparations to minimise damage.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Planning Minister Abdul Mannan, AL presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Mosharraf Hossain, and PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman were present at the press conference, moderated by PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.
Hasina returned home from London on May 9 wrapping up her 15-day visit to Japan, the US, and the UK.
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/polls-time-govt-possibility-without-bnp-3320996
