Six days into defeats in the city polls, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is optimistic about winning the general elections saying the people will cast their votes in the right place in the right time.
Hasina, also the President of the Awami League, expressed the hope at a discussion at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Friday.
“The people know who to vote for come the time. Winning the next elections, we’ll build a poverty and hunger-free Bangladesh by 2021,” she said.
The mayoral candidates backed by the Awami League-led alliance suffered heavy defeats in the elections to Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet city corporations held on June 15.
Indicating the city elections, Hasina said, “Why do you keep asking for caretaker (government) now that you won the elections. The (next) election will be free and fair.”
As per the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, the next parliamentary elections will be held under the ruling Awami League government which will hand over power to an elected government. But the BNP-led opposition is claiming the elections under a partisan government will not be free, fair.
Hasina expressed her concerns that there might have been a ‘conspiracy’ behind BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s tour to Singapore.
“She had earlier given the government a 48-hour ultimatum after her return from Singapore. She has gone there again. Who knows what conspiracy she hatches there this time! So, the people should remain alert and get united over this.”
BNP chief Khaleda and Jatiya Party chief HM Ershad had undergone medical checkups at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. Ershad returned on Tuesday. Khaleda is expected to be back on June 24.
The Jatiya Party is part of the government but not of the ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance.
According to some media reports, Khaleda and Ershad had a meeting there. But the BNP has denied the alleged meeting, saying the ‘baseless reports’ are meant to sow confusion.
Source: Bd news24