PM reaffirmed her call to opposition leader to sit for a peaceful dialogue

"I urge again all including the opposition leader to sit for a peaceful discussion by shunning terrorism and violence and severing ties with war criminals and militant Jamaat, " she said.

Sheikh Hasina observed that a solution about the next polls could be made through discussion. For this, all will have to keep patience, be tolerant and stop all kinds of political violence in the country, she said.

On the eve of the elections, she said, I have repeatedly requested the opposition for a political understanding by avoiding terrorism and violence for the sake of democracy, peace and economic uplift of the nation.

"After the polls, still I want peace, democratic stability and continuation of economic development instead of anarchy, uncertainty, destruction and sabotage," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the people of the country want peace and development side by side with keeping advancement of democracy on a continuous process to uphold the hopes and aspirations of the
people. .

Responding to a question, the Prime Minister said the next election will be held at a due time. "And to bring BNP to the dialogue, my party is always ready to talk with all," she said.

Despite all previous odds, she said, we still agree to talk with all for political stability in the greater interest of the people and continue the democratic process. But it depends on BNP leader, she said.

Sheikh Hasina also directed Bangladesh Army and law enforcement agencies to work with utmost sincerity to contain the post-poll violence with iron hands.

The AL chief said academic activities would be started by repairing those educational institutions, which were damaged by arson from the anti-poll criminals.

She said stern action would be taken to protect trade and commerce of the businessmen, production of the mills and factories and export trade from all types of political violence.

Sheikh Hasina also assured that financial assistance would be provided to those killed and injured members of the law enforcement agencies, who have become the victims of atrocities and sabotage of BNP and Jamaat-Shibir. She said the families of the general people, killed in the terrorist acts of the opposition, would also get assistance.
Reaffirming her commitment to continue "zero tolerance" against militancy and terrorism, the Prime Minister said the trial of the anti-liberation elements and those accused of crimes against humanity would continue and verdict would be executed.

Sheikh Hasina said the just-concluded polls could be more competitive and positive with the participation of all including the main opposition.

Sheikh Hasina said by turning down my offer, the opposition imposed destructive politics on the people by pushing the country towards anarchy and uncertainty through their terrorism, violence and sabotage.

Innocent people were burnt to death, while national economy is being destroyed and future of democracy hampered due to terrorism and sabotage.

Sheikh Hasina said the January 5 general election was a victory of democracy and defeat of anti-democratic and anti- liberation forces.

The AL chief congratulated the countrymen for taking part in yesterday's polls despite all evil designs of the opposition to thwart democracy, she said.

Responding to a question, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh was a land of terrorists and militants during the BNP regime. During our tenure, we have made the country a role model of development and prospects, she said adding, Bangladesh is progressing ahead, and Inshalla, it will continue.

She said her party would continue its efforts to materialize all promises it has given to the people before the elections. In 2008, we promised to make Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021 and we have extended the vision to make it a developed one by 2041, she said.

The Prime Minister said political anarchy and terrorism could never impede the progress of Bangladesh. We are progressing amidst all adversities, and we will certainly go ahead. "Our task is to sail against wave, and we are doing so," she added.

The Prime Minister said the election was peaceful to a larger extent. Unruly activists of BNP and Jamaat tried to capture some polling centres. People didn't respond to Laden- style video call of Khaleda Zia to boycott the polls.

She said, "We're giving textbooks free of cost to the students. We are trying to give education to our children while BNP is gutting their schools making them political hostage.

Ruling out the claim that the government failed to give security to the people on the Election day, the Prime Minister said, some stray incidents took place in various parts of the country. But members of the law enforcing agencies ensured adequate security for them helping to come to the polling center and cast votes, she said.

"However, we are looking into those incidents. And certainly the perpetrators of the incidents will be brought to book," she asserted saying 'those playing with life and property of the people will not be spared. "We will go tough against them," she said.

About the low turnout of the votes, she said, "I'm happy that people could cast their vote. It is enough that people could cast their votes despite all odds.

Responding to a question, the Prime Minister said to join a dialogue with the government, BNP musty shun politics of hartal, killing and destructive activities. Moreover, BNP should severe link with the terrorist party Jamaat. In that case a congenial atmosphere for dialogue could be created, she said.
The Prime Minister said she thinks that the nation is united on the issue of the trial of the war criminals. Those parties having faith in democracy and spirit of the liberation war took part in the election, she said adding "We are united and we will remain united to run the country together."

About any possibility of imposing foreign sanction on Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said those people expecting a sanction don't believe in independence of Bangladesh.

"Why they smell sanction against Bangladesh? What offense Bangladesh has committed?. We have seen that many countries have conducted election in worse atmospheres than ours. Those elections have got acceptability," she said.

Defying all barriers of the opposition, people of Bangladesh have cast their votes. A presiding officer was killed. But all polling officers were present in due time and performed their election duties, she said adding, the election was a free, fair and impartial one.

Sheikh Hasina said, Bangladesh is an economically vibrant country. No country like Bangladesh could show success in achieving the MDGs. Bangladesh has now a strong foreign exchange reserve and its per capita income is on rise.

The Prime Minister said, a vested section is out to destroy the country's economy. But they will not be able to do so as the people are with us," she said.

About the corruption charge against some bigwigs of her party, the Prime Minister said she has no sympathy for the corrupt elements. Anybody found guilty for corruption would be dealt with sternly.

She said corruption has come down during her government's tenure. I will never protect any corrupt person of my party. I have no weakness for them, she said.

The Prime Minister said she will talk to the partners of 14-party alliance about formation of the next government. "If any party of our alliance wants to join the government, I have no objection as I always want to develop the country together," she said.

Ministers, PM's advisors, senior Awami League leaders and government officials attended the press conference.