Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government would dissolve the 10th parliament and hold a fresh election if the BNP cut ties with Jamaat-e-Islami, and stop killing and violence.
Hasina, also the Awami League president, said this while addressing the party’s election steering committee meeting at the Ganabhaban.
“If we can reach the deal, we can carry on with the dialogue after the polls. Then we will dissolve parliament to pave the way for a fresh election,” she said.
The election activities were on and it would not stop, said the premier adding that Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia had missed this election.
She also alleged that the BNP had refrained from contesting the polls as its ally Jamaat could not compete.
The High Court scrapped Jamaat's registration leaving the anti-liberation force out of the election race.
Referring to Khaleda, the premier said: “You cannot stop any activities of the government except for attacking the poor. You are burning and looting houses of Awami League leaders.”
She also cautioned that if the opposition did not stop violence, the government would take stern measures to ensure people's safety and security.
The prime minister also slammed Pakistan for adopting a resolution expressing concern over the execution of war criminal Abdul Quader Molla.
After her speech, the premier sat in a closed-door meeting with the Advisory Council, Central Working Committee and Election Steering Committee.
Hasina to join campaign next week
The Awami League president would take part in the election campaign from December 26, party sources said.
Presidium member Nuh-Ul-Alam Lenin told the Dhaka Tribune that Hasina as well as the central leaders would take part campaign in favour of the party candidates.
But he did not confirm the date when the party chief would start the campaign. “It may be next week,” he said.
During the meeting, Hasina expressed interest to join the campaigns, a source said confirming that she would start the campaigns on December 26.
In line with the electoral codes, as an important person of the state, the prime minister can campaign in her favour or for a party candidate under some conditions.
She also asked party-nominated candidates to go for election campaigns while asked the uncontested MP aspirants to assist party candidates in adjacent constituencies.
