Sheikh Hasina

It is impossible to assume power by lobbying foreigners. It seems like someone coming from outside will take the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) to power.... It (BNP) has been dreaming so. Once upon a time, they could make it happen by acting as a broker (of foreigners). But there is no scope left in Bangladesh to come to power through the acts of an agent.

The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh does not want to engage in war with anyone, adding, "If external forces attack us, we will face that. For that we are building the armed forces accordingly by taking various steps. Sophisticated and up-to-date weapons are being procured for each force."

Claiming that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia had prepared a voters' list with 1.23 crore fake voters to hold a farcical election, Hasina said that the Election Commission (EC) has been constituted through a search committee following a law enacted by her government that has made it more transparent and accountable. The government has also given complete financial independence to the poll panel, she said.

Hasina said this while delivering her inaugural speech at the 22nd national council of the Awami League (AL) to elect new leadership. Hasina, who has been re-elected for the 10th time as AL president, asked the party leaders and activists to remain united in order to resist conspiracies and advance the country towards prosperity.

Hasina warned that the descendants of the "vultures of 1971" and the "hyenas of 1975" are still active in this country. "They hurt the country with teeth and claws whenever they get a chance," she said. "Had the BNP-Jamat alliance been in power (2009-2022), Bangladesh would never have made such progress... could not be a developing country."

Presiding over a discussion meeting organised by her Awami League at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre to mark the 'Martyred Intellectuals Day', she also said that military dictator and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman started disappearances and killings in Bangladesh, killing hundreds of armed forces officers and freedom fightes in jails across the country and the firing ground in Dhaka Cantonment alongside the killings of numerous AL leaders and workers.

Addressing the public meeting organised by the district chapter of Awami League (AL) at Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox's Bazar, Hasina said that BNP-Jamaat is the promoter of militancy who indulged in arms trade, grenade attacks, and arson during their regime.

In his testimony submitted before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Muhammad Asaduzzaman Nur, Joy sought "exemplary punishment" for five "fugitive" accused who had "plotted to abduct and kill him", Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Abdullah Abu told IANS. Arrest warrants were earlier sent to addresses of all the five accused.

After her welcome, Hasina said, "India is our friend. Whenever I come to India, it is a matter of happiness for me, especially because we always remember India's contribution during our liberation struggle. We have a friendly relationship, we are cooperating with each other." The leaders of the two countries are expected to hold extensive talks, after which the two sides are likely to unveil measures to boost cooperation in the areas of defence, trade and river-water sharing.

More than 1.1 million Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh are causing a long-term social problems in the country, as many of them are engaged in arms, drug, and women trafficking, she told newly-appointed Canadian High Commissioner, Lilly Nicholls, who called on her at her Sangsad Bhaban office. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh is providing temporary shelter to 100,000 Rohingyas on Bhasan Char Island where they will get better facilities.