Home ›› 16 Apr 2023 ›› Governance
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday said the United States does not want caretaker government, but they want the election as per the country’s existing law.
“The USA is very happy to see our development and they want to be part of our development journey,” he told reporters after attending a programme in Sylhet.
Momen said the government wants a free and fair election.
“But it is not only the government’s responsibility, it is also the responsibility of the people and all the political parties to ensure a free and fair election,” he said adding that the people of Bangladesh never forget to vote.
He hoped for a secular and harmonious Bangladesh, noting that the Bangla new year will be a year of tolerance and harmony. “I hope the sense of tolerance and sense of respect will be strengthened,” Momen said.
“[We will] achieve a beautiful Bangladesh by stopping mudslinging,” he said, while attending a Mangal Shobhajatra in Sylhet on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh.
The celebration of the Bangla new year in Sylhet started at 9am with Mangal Shobhajatra from the district administration premises.
Officials and employees of different socio-cultural organisations, educational institutions and the administration of Sylhet attended the possession.
No need for dialogue before election
Foreign Minister Momen has said there is no need to hold political dialogue with the opposition BNP before the next general election and suggested that they follow the system that is in place in the election process.
“Why do you need a dialogue? Is it to come [to power] through the backdoor? No way. There is no need for discussion as there is a system and they [opposition parties including BNP] should come forward who are willing to take part in the election,” he told Voice of America Bangla service in an exclusive interview during last week’s US visit.
Momen made a counter question to VoA journalists – “Do the Democratic Party and the Republican Party or other parties discuss before the election? No, never. Because, there is a system. They do follow the system.”
The foreign minister said, “Those whom you are referring to began their journey through guns. They believe in guns, not in ballots.”
Momen said his party – Bangladesh Awami League – has trust in the people and that is why they want a “free, fair, transparent and credible election.”
“Because we believe in people. We want a model election.”
He said Bangladesh is the country where 30 lakh people sacrificed their lives to uphold justice, democracy, human dignity and human rights. “In each of our blood, democracy is there with the right to vote.”
The United States has reiterated its desire to see a free and fair election in Bangladesh, noting that the world will be observing Bangladesh’s next national election.
“Of course, we’re looking – the world is looking – to Bangladesh for its next election, to make sure that they set a strong example of free and fair election for the region and for the world,” US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said during his meeting with Momen on April 10.
“I agree with Secretary Blinken. I am so happy that he also wants a model election which can be portrayed in the rest of the world. I want, too and we seek support from all,” Momen told VoA Bangla service
To have a fair election, Momen said all parties should demonstrate sincerity and political commitment. He said his party always came to power through election and never through coup or bullet. “Others are not even close to us in terms of the level of sincerity and commitment we have for democracy.”
