Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has billed the victory of Bangladesh in elections to international parliamentary forums CPA and IPU as winning over ‘world democracies’.
“This is democracy’s victory. Democracy’s victory means people’s victory. We have won over the democracies in the world,” she said addressing a reception for Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and MP Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Wednesday at Parliament’s South Plaza.
“No achievement is hard if one has confidence and sights set on the goal,” she said.
She also expressed her gratitude to those who supported and cast votes in Bangladesh’s favour in those elections.
Chaudhury was elected Chairperson of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on Oct 9. A week later, Dhaka lawmaker Chowdhury was elected President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), an organisation of parliaments of 164 countries.
The prime minister said, “Bangladesh has gained a dignified position in the international arena through these victories. No-one will now be able to pity Bangladesh.”
The prime minister ended her speech on a lighter note: “The Leader of the House, the Deputy Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition and the Speaker are all women. Why wouldn’t we win? This is why we’ve won.”
Speaking at the reception, Indian Deputy High Commissioner Sandeep Chakrabarty said it was the first time for any country to hold the top posts of these two international forums.
“It is a victory for the [Indian] Sub-continent,” Chakrabarty said,
Leader of the Opposition Raushon Ershad said the victories at the CPA and IPU created a new chapter in the history of Bangladesh’s parliamentarian democracy.
Rejecting the BNP’s claim that there was no democratic rule in the country, Raushon asked, “Then how come Bangladesh has been elected to lead these international forums?”
“This victory has proved that there is democracy and good governance in the country. Some incidents do take place here, but no country in the world is immune to such occurrences,” said the Jatiya Party leader.
Source: bdnews24