Selfie with Biden won’t help govt retain power

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's selfie with US President Joe Biden will not help her government to hang onto power, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said yesterday.

"You [ruling party] are so bankrupt and helpless that you have become excited after seeing a selfie with Biden. You're now publicising that," he said.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh will win when they can elect their representatives through voting. "Take steps for conducting that polls properly. Otherwise, no Biden and selfie can protect you. It's now very clear."

He said the country's people will not cast their votes for the Awami League if a free and fair election is held. "The people will never forgive you and you won't be able to stay in power."

Saifur Rahman Smriti Parishad arranged the programme at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity, marking the 14th death anniversary of late BNP leader and former finance minister M Saifur Rahman.

On Saturday, Biden's selfie with Hasina at the G-20 summit in New Delhi went viral on social media.

Fakhrul bemoaned that it is unfortunate for the nation that people are talking about a light issue like selfie instead of focusing on the basic problems.

"Obaidul Quader [AL general secretary] said what will Fakhrul say now? I suggest him walking around with a photo of this selfie tied around his neck. It'll help you a lot to demonstrate that America's Biden is with you."

The BNP leader recalled that Hasina at a press conference a few days back alleged that America was trying to remove her government from power for not giving it the St Martin's Island.

"What do we understand now by seeing this [selfie]? Have you given the Saint Martin's Island?" he questioned the government.

Fakhrul said the US did not withdraw the sanctions and change the visa policy for Bangladesh after its president's selfie with Hasina. "So speak thoughtfully. You don't think about the words you utter."

He said President Biden or America is pro-democratic and they have said very clearly that they want to see a free, fair and impartial election in Bangladesh.

"They [America] said they want to see a good and inclusive election here which will be acceptable to all. It's not just America, the entire democratic world is saying so. We value it. That doesn't mean we only care about that. We value the opinion of our people very much."

The BNP leader said the country's people have also clearly sent out a message to the government to quit immediately by ending its misrule and repressions.

He also called upon the government to step down and dissolve parliament by handing over power to non-party administration, paving the way for holding a credible national election and establishing a pro-people government.