PM Hasina rejects BNP chief Khaleda's proposal on forming the next Election Commission

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has rejected BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's proposal on constituting the next Election Commission, asking her to apologise first to the nation 'for burning people alive'.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 3 Dec 2016, 06:18 PM
Updated : 3 Dec 2016, 06:18 PM

The premier was replying to questions from the journalists at a media conference at Ganabhaban on Saturday on her recent visit to Hungary.

"She made a wrong decision to not to take part in the 2014 election. And now, after so many days, she has realised it," Hasina said when asked for comments on Khaleda's 13-point proposal.

"Then she launched a movement to oust the Awami League government by killing people. She should have apologised to the nation for burning people alive before placing any proposal," Hasina said.

Over 100 people were killed when petrol bombs were hurled at vehicles during protests against the Jan 5 2014 election, boycotted by the BNP, but gave Awami League the second consecutive term in government. BNP had demanded elections under a neutral body at that time.

Recalling the violence unleashed by BNP-Jamaat alliance, the prime minister termed it 'murderering'.

"They will have to give an answer for this and then we can talk about the proposal," she added.

She also termed Khaleda 'discourteous' for turning her around when she went to sympathise her after the death of her son Arafat Rahman Coco last year.

"What can someone expect something from a person like her!" she wondered.

The prime minister, however, concluded her comments on EC formation by saying, "The matter depends on the president. He will take steps and whatever he does in this regard that will be final. We have nothing to say here."