Prime minister Sheikh Hasina says the main opposition BNP will make a
'political mistake' if it boycotts next general elections demanding
reinstatement of caretaker government system.
In an interview with BBC Bangla on Tuesday, Hasina said the BNP should make an effort to gain people's confidence and trust.
"It would be a political mistake," Hasina said in response to opposition leader Khaleda Zia's recent statement that her party would not join the polls due in 2013 if caretaker government system is not reinstated.
The prime minister also advised Khaleda to work on gaining people's confidence.
"Right now, the main opposition should set their focus on reviving confidence and trust of the people," she told BBC Bangla Radio.
The prime minister asserted that the relationship between BNP and ruling Awami League is "not so bad".
BNP and its allies have been demonstrating for the reinstatement of the caretaker government system after it was annulled through the 15th amendment of the Constitution.
When BBC asked the prime minister how confident she is about BNP's participation in the next national polls under the incumbent government, she said: "The Election Commission will hold the election. There will be a new Election Commission ... the honourable president has already taken initiatives. He is holding talks."
"His instructions after the dialogue will be followed. We also want that the main opposition join the dialogue to give their opinion. They can say whom they want as the chief election commissioner, how they want it and what the process should be," she added.
"They might commit a political mistake, if they do not take part in the elections."
She said people of the country have not forgotten the "terrorism, corruption and nepotism" during the former BNP-led four-party alliance government.
"People want democracy. They will never accept any plot to assassinate democracy," she said.
CARETAKER GOVT ISSUE
Replying to a query why the government did not accept the High Court's suggestions that two more national elections could be held under the caretaker government, Hasina said, "The High Court did not give out any order, rather just gave opinion as an option that it can also be done."
"We've executed the prime rule of the High Court," she added.
The prime minister held out her logic in favour of annulling the caretaker government system and referred to the previous army-backed caretaker government led by Fakhruddin Ahmed from 2007-2009. She also pointed out the oppression of political parties during the period.
She also talked of the past caretaker government's tenure and recounted its stay in power for two years, the so-called minus two formula, torture and jail.
"I wonder whether the opposition chief has forgotten how she was tortured at the hands of that government. Her sons were sent out of the country and cases filed against her are still going on in the Anti-Corruption Commission," Hasina said.
"But still, she (Khaleda) wants the caretaker system reinstated. Who can guarantee that these incidents would not happen under the future caretaker government?" she asked.
'POSITIVE' CHANGE IN POLITICS
Asked whether her government, after taking office through a landslide victory three years ago, could bring any positive change, Hasina said, "As the people trusted us and gave the chance to serve them by voting for us in 2008, we've taken steps to bring positive changes in Bangladesh's political culture. Every political party in our country can freely stage their programmes."
Awami League used all its 'merit and power' for the development of the country, she said, adding that nothing like the post-election torture on opposition in 2001 by then four-party happened after her government had taken over.
"I had been an opposition leader, too. But there was no way one could speak. My microphone had been stopped 72 times. Now our opposition leader can speak for hours," she said.
Citing that opposition MPs have been made chairmen of parliamentary standing committees, Hasina said. "No country in the world, other than big ones, will give the chance. We want a positive situation."
"We could create a peaceful environment in Bangladesh in the past three years as we do positive politics," Hasina added.
WAR CRIMES TRIAL
The prime minister winnowed out the charge that the two main parties are in confronting position.
"You say that our relation is not good—it's not right. Our opposition leaders are coming to standing committee meetings…giving their opinions. They are going abroad with others when they need. Opposition usually has some views, but they oppose continuously," she replied to a query whether she would take any step to improve relation with the opposition.
"But," she said, "the present opposition is facing some problems—one is the war crimes trial."
She said trial of the war criminals is a long-time demand of the people. "When their (war criminals) trial is going to be realised…then our opposition started to bomb and kill people to save those war criminals—how can we let this happen?"
"It's our duty to ensure people's security," Hasina added.
"We aren't barring any demonstration. But it's the government's duty to stop them if they harm people's property and lives."
Two leaders of BNP and five of its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami were arrested on the charges of crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War. But BNP has been protesting the move to try them in the International Crimes Tribunal saying that the government is harassing opposition leaders in the name of war crimes trial.
On the other hand, ruling party leaders blamed the opposition for some recent bombings and arson attacks saying the opposition conducted the violence to obstruct war crimes trial.
"If someone thinks that torching buses and bombing it will save the war criminals, he is wrong," Hasina said.
In an interview with BBC Bangla on Tuesday, Hasina said the BNP should make an effort to gain people's confidence and trust.
"It would be a political mistake," Hasina said in response to opposition leader Khaleda Zia's recent statement that her party would not join the polls due in 2013 if caretaker government system is not reinstated.
The prime minister also advised Khaleda to work on gaining people's confidence.
"Right now, the main opposition should set their focus on reviving confidence and trust of the people," she told BBC Bangla Radio.
The prime minister asserted that the relationship between BNP and ruling Awami League is "not so bad".
BNP and its allies have been demonstrating for the reinstatement of the caretaker government system after it was annulled through the 15th amendment of the Constitution.
When BBC asked the prime minister how confident she is about BNP's participation in the next national polls under the incumbent government, she said: "The Election Commission will hold the election. There will be a new Election Commission ... the honourable president has already taken initiatives. He is holding talks."
"His instructions after the dialogue will be followed. We also want that the main opposition join the dialogue to give their opinion. They can say whom they want as the chief election commissioner, how they want it and what the process should be," she added.
"They might commit a political mistake, if they do not take part in the elections."
She said people of the country have not forgotten the "terrorism, corruption and nepotism" during the former BNP-led four-party alliance government.
"People want democracy. They will never accept any plot to assassinate democracy," she said.
CARETAKER GOVT ISSUE
Replying to a query why the government did not accept the High Court's suggestions that two more national elections could be held under the caretaker government, Hasina said, "The High Court did not give out any order, rather just gave opinion as an option that it can also be done."
"We've executed the prime rule of the High Court," she added.
The prime minister held out her logic in favour of annulling the caretaker government system and referred to the previous army-backed caretaker government led by Fakhruddin Ahmed from 2007-2009. She also pointed out the oppression of political parties during the period.
She also talked of the past caretaker government's tenure and recounted its stay in power for two years, the so-called minus two formula, torture and jail.
"I wonder whether the opposition chief has forgotten how she was tortured at the hands of that government. Her sons were sent out of the country and cases filed against her are still going on in the Anti-Corruption Commission," Hasina said.
"But still, she (Khaleda) wants the caretaker system reinstated. Who can guarantee that these incidents would not happen under the future caretaker government?" she asked.
'POSITIVE' CHANGE IN POLITICS
Asked whether her government, after taking office through a landslide victory three years ago, could bring any positive change, Hasina said, "As the people trusted us and gave the chance to serve them by voting for us in 2008, we've taken steps to bring positive changes in Bangladesh's political culture. Every political party in our country can freely stage their programmes."
Awami League used all its 'merit and power' for the development of the country, she said, adding that nothing like the post-election torture on opposition in 2001 by then four-party happened after her government had taken over.
"I had been an opposition leader, too. But there was no way one could speak. My microphone had been stopped 72 times. Now our opposition leader can speak for hours," she said.
Citing that opposition MPs have been made chairmen of parliamentary standing committees, Hasina said. "No country in the world, other than big ones, will give the chance. We want a positive situation."
"We could create a peaceful environment in Bangladesh in the past three years as we do positive politics," Hasina added.
WAR CRIMES TRIAL
The prime minister winnowed out the charge that the two main parties are in confronting position.
"You say that our relation is not good—it's not right. Our opposition leaders are coming to standing committee meetings…giving their opinions. They are going abroad with others when they need. Opposition usually has some views, but they oppose continuously," she replied to a query whether she would take any step to improve relation with the opposition.
"But," she said, "the present opposition is facing some problems—one is the war crimes trial."
She said trial of the war criminals is a long-time demand of the people. "When their (war criminals) trial is going to be realised…then our opposition started to bomb and kill people to save those war criminals—how can we let this happen?"
"It's our duty to ensure people's security," Hasina added.
"We aren't barring any demonstration. But it's the government's duty to stop them if they harm people's property and lives."
Two leaders of BNP and five of its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami were arrested on the charges of crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War. But BNP has been protesting the move to try them in the International Crimes Tribunal saying that the government is harassing opposition leaders in the name of war crimes trial.
On the other hand, ruling party leaders blamed the opposition for some recent bombings and arson attacks saying the opposition conducted the violence to obstruct war crimes trial.
"If someone thinks that torching buses and bombing it will save the war criminals, he is wrong," Hasina said.
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