Next election under Hasina govt: ruling alliance leaders

Ruling alliance stalwarts on Wednesday told parliament that next general election would be held keeping Sheikh Hasina government in office.

They said that there is no possibility of forming of ‘election conducive government’ in line with Bangladesh Nationalist Party demand as no democratic country has such practice.     

They, while taking part in the general discussion on proposed budget for 2017-18 financial year, also said that the BNP would have to participate that election for its survival.

Civil aviation and tourism minister and Workers Party of Bangladesh president Rashed Khan Menon, commerce minister and also Awami League advisory council member Tofail Ahmed, Awami League publicity secretary Hasan Mahmud and others also said that Khaleda Zia and BNP would not be able to resist the general election that is due in early 2019.

They made the comments in a response to Khaleda Zia’s remark made on Sunday that, ‘None [opposition parties] would join the election, if it was held keeping Awami League and Sheikh Hasina in power’.

‘Such an election would not be allowed to take place in the country,’ Khaleda said while attending an iftar party in the capital.

Menon said that Khaleda Zia is demanding ‘election conducive government’ and saying that she will not participate election under Hasina government.        

‘There is no provision for election conducive government in the constitution,’ he said adding, ‘so next election would be held under Hasina government’.

‘BNP would have to contest that election. If they do not contest the election, it would be their last blunder… Their party would become Muslim League,’ he said.

He said that as soon the Election Commission has announced roadmap of next general election activities of many diplomats has began making comments on it.

He asks the diplomats not to interfere in the internal matters of Bangladesh by saying ‘an inclusive election would take place under the provision of law’.

Tofail Ahmed said that next elections would be held by January 27, 2019 under Hasina government. ‘Whatever happens, election would be held by Election Commission under interim government led by Sheikh Hasina,’ Tofail said.

Hasan Mahmud said that BNP wanted to resist election in January 2014 but failed this time they would not be able to resist election.

‘BNP reached to ICU by not contesting election last time. If they do not contest the upcoming election, as a party they would die,’ he said.

Most of the opposition boycotted the general election held in January 5, 2014 amid low voter turnout and 153 MPs were elected unopposed in the election.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net