Curbing price hike first priority
Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government's top priorities would be containing the price hike of essentials and maintaining law and order.
"Our duty now is to implement our electoral manifesto," she added.
She was speaking at a news briefing on her election as leader of the AL Parliamentary Party (ALPP).
Hasina sought cooperation of all including the BNP-led four-party alliance in efforts to continue the democratic process and ensure welfare of the people.
She directed her deputies to dedicate themselves to fulfilling the promise to have the nation developed by the year 2021.
She also urged them not to do anything that might bring the party and the government into disrepute.
The AL chief ducked questions about the possible size of her cabinet. She said, “I won't say anything now. Just wait and see. It should come as a surprise."
She however said the cabinet will comprise lawmakers from the grand alliance that includes among others Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and Jatiya Party.
At the briefing, she declared that AL presidium member Zillur Rahman would be their nominee for presidency. "Our parliamentary party has decided to nominate him for the post of president. We have also elected him the deputy leader.”
Asked about Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad's ambition to be the county's president again, she said, "Let's see."
About Zillur, she said, “He is a leader with vast experience. Starting from the language movement, his contribution to various struggles of the nation is immeasurable, and we want him to be recognised for that.”
Describing the post-polls violence as unfortunate, Hasina alleged the four-party activists are still attacking her partymen. She asked everyone to exercise restraint.
"Though our workers and leaders had to endure a wholesale persecution after the 2001 election, I have directed them to stay calm and not to seek revenge," she said.
After the ALPP meeting, Hasina met Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar at his office in the parliament building. The meeting lasted about an hour.
She thanked him and the parliament staff for performing their duties. She also discussed with the outgoing speaker the ordinances promulgated during the caretaker government rule.
According to the constitution, parliament has to decide on the fate of the ordinances within 30 days since its first sitting. Over 110 ordinances were proclaimed by the president during the interim regime.
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