Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia has been a loser both ways, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.
Published : 06 Jan 2014, 09:35 PM
She was referring to Khaleda’s failure to prevent Sunday’s poll and, thus, losing her seat the new Parliament by boycotting the poll.
“… I had phoned her but she did not accept (my offer). The BNP leader has now lost both,” Hasina said at a press conference on Monday, a day after the polls held amid Opposition boycott on Sunday.
“I agree on talks for the greater interest of all. But it entirely depends on the BNP leader because she will not be the Opposition Leader in the next Parliament.”
Earlier, Hasina spoke to overseas journalists. Replying to a reporters’ query, she said ‘Khaleda has not been under house arrest.”
BNP-led 18-Party alliance boycotting the election had called a shutdown and a blockade, urging the people to resist it at any cost.
The election, however, was held despite Opposition violence. At least 18 people died during polling on Sunday. Besides, over 100 polling stations had been burnt in the run-up to the polls.
Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League has secured absolute majority, while Hussein Muhammad Ershad’s Jatiya Party has emerged as the second largest party.
BNP leaders had been saying a conspiracy was on to make Ershad the Opposition Leader by keeping the main Opposition party out through a ‘farcical’ election.
About Ershad, in hospital since he dramatically fell sick after announcing his boycott of the polls, Hasina said, “He is well and playing golf.”
When asked if Ershad was still with the Grand Alliance, Hasina said in a light vein, “The Grand Alliance is great; so, all must be with it. The opposition will be in Parliament even in the absence of the BNP.”
About the poll boycotted by the Opposition and marked by low turnout, she said, “Voting has taken place at over 18,000 centres.”
“They issued threats through (Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin) Laden style video. People did not respond to it. There may be allegations (about the polls). But we don’t believe them.”
She said elections in many countries had been held under worse conditions but got legitimacy.
“It is enough that people have been able to cast their vote,” Hasina said, claiming they had rejected Khaleda’s call. “I am satisfied with the number of votes as they have cast.”
Asked whether a call for national unity to form a new government will be made, she said the government would be formed by talking with her alliance partners. “I have no objection if all parties want to represent the government.”
Nothing could hamper the country’s progress, she said. “It is our job to row the boat (her party’s poll symbol) against tide.”
Will she wilt under pressure? asked a journalist. “Have I ever done so? Is there any pressure that can make me give up my position?”