PM slams those who favour unelected interim govt

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday slammed those who are talking in favour of an unelected government for an interim period, asking them to think who had benefited from such a government during the 2007-2008 period.

“There was an unelected government (in Bangladesh) from 2007 to ‘08 and who had benefited (from that)?” she said.

While opening the month-long ‘Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2023’ on the premises of the Bangla Academy and the Suhrawardy Udyan in the city, the prime minister said there are some so-called intellectuals in Bangladesh who said how the Mahabharata could be impure if an unelected government assumed office for a period of two or four years.

She added: “The Mahabharata will not be impure (with an unelected government in power). But the constitution will be tainted and the lives and livelihoods of the people will be ruined. If anyone looks into those two years (of last caretaker government), it will be seen that everything, including business-commerce, literary practice and economic condition, were shattered during that period.”

The prime minister told the countrymen that they can better realise who are favouring an unelected government, adding that they who fear to face the people and know that they will not be voted to power through elections are out to destabilise the country though different means.

Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, said the then caretaker government had been forced to give an election (in 2008) in which BNP got only 30 seats out of 300 while her party-led grand alliance won the remaining ones.

“They got only 30 seats (in the 2008 election) and how will they get more? We have gained support from the people through work and this is not our fault. We will continue to work for the people’s welfare,” she added.

She said in continuation of the election, her government has been in power since 2009 to date through the people’s mandate following the democratic process. “The sports, culture, literary works and book fair are flourishing and development is taking place in the country as the Awami League is in power for a long period,” she said.

Referring to the apex court verdict that declared illegal the Zia, Ershad and Mostaq governments and their acts as they came to the power promulgating martial laws, she said her government has taken every measure to continue the democratic trend.

“Since we brought the 15th amendment to the constitution, stability and democratic process have been prevailing in Bangladesh,” she said.

But, on the way to achieve the stability, she said, they have to overcome all natural and manmade disasters such as killing people alive through arson attacks in the name of so-called movement.

“Now stability prevails in the country. But, some people don’t feel well seeing the stability in the country,” she said.

The prime minister called upon those, who want to assumed power, to stand in line with the people, join elections and seek votes, saying, “If the people choose them, they will come in power.”