Hasina calls Oikya Front leaders political parasites

Awami League president, prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday expressed determination with confidence to smoothly hold the next parlimentary polls within due time despite confusions or what she termed conspiracies.

“There will be conspiracies, but we will be able to overcome those. I believe in elections. The election commission will announce the polls schedule,” Hasina told a media briefing at her official Ganabhaban residence, following her four-day official visit to Saudi Arabia.

At a rally on Saturday, Jatiya Party (JaPa) chairman HM Ershad, also the prime minsiter’s special emissary, expressed apprehensions over holding of the 11th parliamentary elections due later this year.

When asked about such ‘uncertaintity’, Sheikh Hasina alleged, a section of people has been ‘hatching conspiracies and creating suspisions’ to hamper continuity of the democratic process.

“The Awami League (AL) will move ahead despite obstacles and puruse development. My party has the strength to face the oppostion,” she said.

About forging of the Jatiya Oikya Front or National Unity Front, led by noted lawyer Kamal Hossain, the prime minister claimed that her party is not concerned about the emergence of the new coalition.

“I welcome the initiative. There is a necessity and they have been united. If they gain success, what’s wrong,” she told journalists, however, adding, “I don’t see any good politics in it.”

On 13 October, the Oikya Front came into being, raising demand for holding free and fair elections, promising change in political culture. Bangladesh Natonalist Party is a major force in it.

“We have to see who are united there. They are from different parties with different backgrounds. They are the corrupt, creators of militancy and money launderers. They are also convicted in the 21 grenade attack and 10 truck arms smugglling incidents,” Hasina said alleging that Kamal Hossain formed unity with these forces.

“It’s important how the people of Bangladesh view them,” the AL president said. “I have nothing to say [about them]. If the people of Bangladesh want them, let them want,” she added.

Asked if the ruling camp would invite the opposition to dialoue if the Front leaders seek it, Sheikh Hasina said, “Any mindset is yet to be created as I have not still received any letter [of request from them].”

About splitting  of political parties and alliances, Hasina said where there is a breach, there is reunification. “[We’ve] nothing to worry about.”

Dwelling on a seven-point demand including a fair election under a neutral administration, raised by the new coalition, the prime minister said, “Let me wait and see how many demands they come up with ultimately.”

On the opposition’s announcement to launch movement to realise their demands, Sheikh Hasina said the government would “do everything if any quarter wants to carry out arson attacks and kill people”.

In reply to a few questions on former caretaker government adviser Mainul Hosein, Sheikh Hasina cricticised him for his remaks on journalist Masuda Vatti at a TV talk-show.