PM hints at holding no dialogue before next general election

Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina on Saturday hinted that no dialogue would be held prior to the next general election, saying any party can take part in the polls if it wants.

“Bangladesh has multi-party democracy and the Election Commission. If any party wants to participate in the (next general) election, they can. If any party has no capability of taking part in the election, they may not do so,” she said.

The PM made the remark while addressing the opening session of the sixth triennial council of the Bangladesh Mohila Awami League (BMAL), the women's wing of the ruling Awami League, at the historic Suhrawardi Udyan in the capital.

“Many people say a dialogue should be held. With whom the dialogue will be held? With the BNP, the convicted accused, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Zia, who wanted to kill me by grenade attacks?” she said.

"They are talking about human rights, but pursuing holding dialogue with BNP to take them in the election). I want to ask them what kind of demand it is," Sheikh Hasina added.

The PM asserted that the people of the country will hold an election even if any party boycotts it and that they would not accept vote rigging.

Referring to the February 15, 1996 election held by Khaleda Zia, she said the people of the country did not accept the election and toppled them from power within one and a half months of the election.

"Khaleda Zia had to step down (from the power) on charges of vote rigging," she said.