'All parties will trust new EC, join next polls'
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday hoped that all the political parties would have trust in the new Election Commission to be constituted by the president and join the next general election.
“The president has already taken an initiative to reconstitute the Election Commission. We hope all the political parties will have their confidence in it. We also hope they [political parties] will take part in the next election as per the constitution,” she said.
The prime minister expressed the optimism in her address to the nation in the evening marking the third anniversary of her government's tenure after winning the January 5 polls in 2014.
The PM's 35-minute address to the nation was simultaneously aired by state-run BTV, Bangladesh Betar and other private TV channels and radio stations.
Mentioning that her party Awami League believes in accomplishing tasks not in words, Hasina said the party has brought all the country's notable successes and achievements since the Liberation War led by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“We've liberated the country through the War of Independence. The Father of the Nation had taught us not to bow down our heads, and we'll take Bangladesh to a dignified position in the global arena overcoming all the obstacles and odds,” she added.
The prime minister noted that Bangladesh attained the status of a “lower middle-income” country under the Awami League government. “I firmly believe it's only Awami League which could turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021 and a prosperous and developed one by 2041 and thus build Sonar Bangla as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.”
She also called upon all, irrespective of class and creed, to devote themselves together to nation building and the country's development and thus reward a developed, prosperous, beautiful and liveable Bangladesh for the future generation.
Hasina said her government has completed three years of its current tenure, and the next general election will be held on completion of the specific timeframe of the present government. “We believe in democracy and we've full confidence in our people.”
The prime minister said when the country is moving ahead then a vested group is trying to create anarchy through unleashing terrorist acts in the name of Islam.
Hasina called upon Imams, senior citizens, teachers of all educational institutions, including madrasas, Ansar-VDP members and guardians to remain vigilant about militant activities.
As the Awami League government is stepping into the 9th consecutive year, Hasina said it is up to the people to assess how much her government has been able to fulfil their expectations. “But, we can firmly say we didn't leave any stone unturned in our efforts for the development and betterment of the country and its people.”
She also said some 2.80 lakh families will be rehabilitated through Ashrayan Project and other projects, including housing programmes by 2019 and a law has already been enacted to set up two new medical universities in Chittagong and Rajshahi.
BNP'S RESPONSE
Many of the details of developments Hasina came up with during her address were “wrong, false and baseless”, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a press briefing last night, reports our staff correspondent.
“The legitimacy of the government and its lack of morals are the main problem of the country. But she has avoided that …,” he said.
The BNP organised the briefing at its Gulshan office to respond to the PM's address to the nation.
“Everyone expected that she [the PM] would hint at a political compromise for bringing back democracy and [holding] fair elections,” he said, adding that it was “missing” which was disappointing.
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