PM rules out mid-term polls

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday ruled out the possibility of mid-term polls, saying that what problem has been created that the mid-term elections will have to be given.

"Has the news of mid-term polls come by floating in the river Jamuna ... what problem has been created that the mid-term polls will have to be given?" she told a press conference here this morning.

The press conference was arranged at Bangladesh's Permanent Mission to brief the media about the outcome of the participation of the prime minister in the ongoing 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Masud Bin Momen were present on the dais, while PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim moderated the press conference.

Members of the PM's entourage including ministers, parliament members, political and business leaders were also present on the occasion.

Sheikh Hasina said there is no relation between the mid-term polls and the upcoming council of Bangladesh Awami League.

"You know that the Awami League is a big organization. The council of the party from grassroots to every ward, union, upazila and district has been completed. Now the central council (of the party) will be held and the councillors would take decisions about the leadership," she said.

The prime minister said elections would always take place and she thinks that there is no relation of the party council with the elections. "It's our routine work and party council is held in every three years," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the council of the party could not be held during the emergency and martial law regimes. "But other time, we tried to hold party council regularly and we're taking that preparation," she said.

Responding to a question about the opposition of BNP and some other parties about the government's stance against militancy and terrorism, Sheikh Hasina said that that opposition party which tends to oppose every step would oppose everything and there is nothing to be worried about it.

"The opposition party in parliament is properly performing their due role, but you can't expect anything especially from those who are not in parliament and don't believe in democracy, who killed and burnt people to death to foil the last general election, burnt the polling centers and killed an Assistant Presiding Officer, torched buses, trains, launches and in trucks," she added.

The prime minister said that the BNP-Jamaat clique committed all such crimes to thwart the last election but failed to involve the common people in their attempt to foil the last general election. 

"So, they burnt people to death, and you can't expect anything good from those who believe in burning people to death," she added.

She said that the issues of countering terrorism and militancy came up in various functions of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly adding that the terrorist acts are now taking place across the globe not only in Bangladesh.

In this connection, she said that some incidents of bombing and terrorist acts took place in the USA just before the current (UN) General Assembly.

Sheikh Hasina said that all should have to resist those culprits who are killing people in the name of Islam and maligning this holy religion.

"Those who believe in killings are always become happy with seeing such killings.......... It's better not to talk about them," she added.

The prime minister also extended her heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the countrymen since they responded to her call unanimously to combat terrorism and militancy.

Responding to a question on repatriation of the killers of Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina said that it took 31 years to try the killers of Bangabandhu adding, "Since we've hold the trial, we'll complete the rest surely," she said.

She said that since the killers of Bangabandhu are staying in various countries, her government has been trying its level best to bring back those killers and execute the verdict. "Our sincere efforts are continuing in this regard," she said.

Asked whether she was writing her autobiography, Sheikh Hasina said nothing like that adding, "I always want to live as my 'Father's Daughter".

Talking about Bangladesh's foreign policy, the prime minister said Bangladesh believes in the policy "Friendship to all and malice to none" presented by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"Due to this policy, I think that various countries are now showing interest in Bangladesh and their leaders are visiting the country," she said.

Regarding the visit of John Kerry to Bangladesh, the prime minister said the US secretary of state came here as Bangladesh maintains good relations with the United States.

Besides, she said, John Kerry had a close relation with Senator Ted Kennedy who visited Bangladesh during the war of liberation war, visited refugee camps and extend support to Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina said though John Kerry's visit was brief, it was excellent visit and through the visit the bilateral relations have been strengthened further. 

In this connection, the premier also pointed out the visit of former US president Bill Clinton to Bangladesh during her previous government.

Replying to another question about the next US Presidential Election, Sheikh Hasina echoed with the questioner hoping that such new government would come in the US that would work with Bangladesh.

Replying to another question on whether Bangladesh would give any female candidature for the UN Secretary General post which will fall vacant in this December, Sheikh Hasina said, "I'll be a bit more delighted if any woman assumes any post and there always will be affection to our own community and there is no doubt about it," she said.

"We're observing that there are some candidates for the post and we're also keeping an eye over the stance of others in this regard ... we will take our decision in time when the time for casting vote will come," she said.

While talking about her successful participation at the 71st Session of the UN, Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh was able to highlight its agendas strongly in this session adding.

"It's my belief that our active and fruitful participation in various forums has brightened the image of Bangladesh in the international arena," she said.

The prime minister also urged the expatriate Bangladeshis to always keep in their minds and hearts that they are a victorious nation and they would move ahead in the global arena with dignity.

"You'll also act and cooperate so that that the image of Bangladesh is further brightened abroad while the different achievements of the country are widely publicized," she said.

Source: BSS