“Will offer BNP leaders tea if they come to besiege my office”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (July 23, 2022) said she will offer BNP leaders tea if they come to besiege her office (Prime Minister's Office).

"I will listen to them – whatever they want to say. I believe in democracy," she said.

The prime minister said this while speaking at a meeting of Awami League's Dhaka North and South units.

The meeting was held at AL's central office on Bangabandhu Avenue, while the PM, also the Awami League president, joined it virtually from her official residence Gono Bhaban.

She, however, warned that stern actions will be taken if BNP leaders and activists resort to hurling bombs and vandalism in the name of political programmes.

Hasina said that she has directed police not to put barricades on their way even if BNP wants to besiege PMO.
 
"Especially the barricade at Bangla Motor has been withdrawn completely. There is no restriction on their (BNP) procession – wherever they want, they can go by foot," she said.
 
The AL supremo once again questioned about the leadership of BNP. "Who is running the party now?" – she asked

"As per the constitution of BNP, no convicted criminal can be the leader of the party. But BNP is doing that," she said.

She said that a leader of the BNP, who is also convicted, has been living abroad lavishly with the money he embezzled from the country.

Hasina dismissed BNP leaders' allegation that the government does not allow them to speak.
 
"After speaking all day, they allege that they are not allowed to speak," she said.

"Let them speak. Someone has to speak," she said.