How could they dream of power?

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has wondered how the BNP could dream of returning to power after the BNP-Jamaat alliance got only 30 seats in 2008 general election that was accepted by all.

She made the comment while presiding over a meeting of the Awami League Working Committee (ALWC) at the Gono Bhaban yesterday evening, reports BSS.

Hasina, also the ruling Awami League president, said none could raise any question about the 2008 general election.

She said the AL-led grand alliance achieved a landslide victory in that polls.

The PM come down heavily on a section of intellectuals, saying that elections expose their conspiratorial side, reports UNB.

"Whenever election comes, their conspiracies increase.

"We have some intellectuals who are intellectually handicapped. I'm saying that the intellectuals are disabled because they don't see any development and always think about how to remove the Awami League from power."

"Is the BNP doing anything better for the country and its people for which it will gain the people's confidence and trust required to be voted to power again?" Hasina said, reports BSS.

She said since its inception, the BNP has been playing ducks and drakes with the people's voting rights, referring to Ziaur Rahman's "yes/no vote and parliamentary election to cling on to power which he grabbed illegally after violating the country's constitution".

The PM said his wife Khaleda Zia also held a farcical election on February 15, 1996, and no political party took part in the polls.

The people toppled the BNP government through movement after one and a half months of the election.

She added that there was an attempt to hold a general election in 2006 with a voter list of having 1.23 crore fake voters.

But the AL always comes to power with the people's mandate, the PM said.

AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Kazia Zafarullah were present at the ALWC meeting, which was held as part of the preparation to hold the 22nd national council of the AL at the capital's Suhrawardy Udyan tomorrow.

At the beginning of the meeting, Hasina introduced the newly elected leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo Mohila League.

'NO MAJOR CHANGE'

Meanwhile, Quader said there is no possibility of any major change in the AL committee which is scheduled to be announced at the council.

"We earlier told that there was little possibility of any major change in the committee that would be elected through this council," he said while talking to journalists at the council venue yesterday.

"We might hold the next council ahead of time after the next national election. There might be a major reshuffle then. Right now, we are not thinking of bringing any major changes. However, it will depend on the decision of the councillors."

About the party president post, he said, "The president post is indispensable; our president is the symbol of our unity. She is essential here. Not a single councillor can be found who does not want her."

On the general secretary post, he said, "Many leaders may have the desire to be the general secretary. The Awami League is a democratic party. As far as I know, there are at least 10 people who are qualified for the post.

"It [the decision of making the general secretary] will depend on the will of the Awami League president and opinions of the councillors. Everything will be clear in the second session [of the national council] … So, I cannot name anyone at this moment."

Quader said, "We want to build an organised and united AL with the goal of building smart Bangladesh under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. We are ready for the next election. We are ready to run the next government. Remain united and keep discipline is our message."

Asked about some controversial leaders, he said, "The incumbent executive committee is a very active committee. There are no controversial leaders. If any, the leader [Hasina] will decide."

Quader said this year's council is challenging because of the global crisis.

AL presidium members Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, Joint General Secretary Bahauddin Nasim, organising secretaries Mirza Azam and SM Kamal Hossain, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Abdus Sabur, and central committee member Sanjida Khanam, among others, were present.