Reiterating her firm resolve to hold the next parliamentary elections as per the constitution, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the democratic trend would continue in the country while constitution would be its guideline.
“The country could not achieve its desired progress for the last 38 years as there were no peaceful handover of power during the period except in 2001,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this when a four-member Canadian parliamentary delegation called on her at her official Ganobhaban residence in the evening.
After the meeting, PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Bijan Lal Dev briefed reporters about the outcome of the parley.
During the meeting, Hasina hoped that the next election would be free, fair and neutral. All the elections held in the last five years of the present government were free, fair and neutral and none could raise any allegation about the polls.
“So the next elections would be held in the same manner,” she said.
About the boycott of upcoming national election by the main opposition BNP, the Prime Minister said the BNP teaming up with Jamaat-Shibir is unleashing atrocities across the country as Jamaat could not participate in the elections following the imposition of a High Court ban on the party.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh had turned into a safe heaven for the terrorists and militants during the rule of the past BNP-Jamaat alliance government.
But the present government restored peace and image of the country as it contained the social vices with an iron hand, she said.
Highlighting her government’s tremendous successes in various fields, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh has been able to maintain over six percent GDP growth in the last five years despite global recession thanks to the various pragmatic steps of the government.
She also urged the Canadian parliament members to use their good office to provide more assistance in Bangladesh’s social sector and boost its export to Canada.
The Canadian lawmakers expressed their concern over the ongoing violence in Bangladesh and torture on the minority community.
Former adviser to the Prime Minister HT Imam, former foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni and Ambassador-At-Large M Ziauddin were present on the occasion.
Members of the Canadian Parliament who joined the meeting were Reverend Majib El Shafie, Brad Butt, Jay Aspin and Sam Plett.
Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ms Heather Cruden was also present.
Source: UNB Connect
