BNP's City Polls Boycott "Pre-Planned": PM

"Moving away from the elections by the BNP on the polls day is pre-planned. Their intention is clear that they don't want that Bangladesh is developed socially and economically and its democracy is strengthened and the freedom of expression exists in the country, she said, adding the BNP is playing that dirty game to tarnish the country's image.

Sheikh Hasina said the false allegations for which BNP skipped the three city corporation polls are regrettable. "The BNP could not prove a single allegation regarding the three city corporation polls," she said.

The Prime Minister said this when Mayor-elect of Dhaka South City Corporation Sayeed Khokan and Mayor-elect of Dhaka North City Corporation Annisul Haque along with some councillor-elect of the two city corporations called on the PM at her official Ganobhaban residence here tonight.

Awami League Advisory Council Members Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta and HT Imam, Presidium Members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Advocate Sahara Khatun and Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, AL Joint Secretaries Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif and Dr Dipu Moni, Railway Minister Muzibul Haque and Dhaka City AL General Secretary Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and other central leaders of the party were present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister said those who want to make city corporation polls questionable by raising different fake allegations have a bad intention. "They don't want continuation of democracy in the country and they always expect an unconstitutional government," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said such kind of people think that if an unconstitutional government comes to power, then they will get a flag. "This would never happen in Bangladesh and their dream would never be fulfilled," she said.

The Prime Minister described her party-backed candidates' victory as a mandate of the mass people against terrorism, militancy and saboteurs.

"As the victory of terrorism, militancy and saboteurs was not made in the three city corporation polls, it's a victory of democracy and mass people," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said those who are in favour of terrorism, militancy and subversive acts think it is a "defeat of democracy". "They are grief-stricken as they failed to win in the three city corporation polls," she said.

The Prime Minister hoped that the countrymen would also agree with her that it's a mandate of the mass people against terrorism, militancy and saboteurs. "I see the victory this way," she said.

She expressed with satisfaction that the election was held in a very free, fair and impartial manner except a very few stray incidents while the common voters cast their franchise in a festive mood.

Sheikh Hasina greeted people of all strata including voters, party workers and supporters, law enforces, officials of Election Commission and the administration involved in holding a free, fair and impartial election.

About allegation of vote rigging raised by BNP, the Prime Minister wondered how BNP-backed candidates got a huge number of votes though their withdrawal from the election just three hours after the voting started.

The Prime Minister, however, said there would be an investigation into allegations regarding irregularities in some polling centres and every single complaint would seriously be probed to ensure transparency.

Stressing the need for cooperation of the media in this regard, Sheikh Hasina said they will have to play a role in building public opinions in favour of peace and security as there would be no benefit from encouraging terrorists and killers.

Analyzing the turnout of voters in Dhaka North and South City Corporations as well as of Chittagong City Corporation, the Prime Minister raised question how people having sense cast votes for those who burnt the people to death.

Sheikh Hasina also highlighted the BNP-Jamaat rampage, torching and vandalism for long three months since January 5 and said none except Awami League talks about those who are suffering from pains of burn injuries.

Later, Mayor-elect of Dhaka North City Corporation Annisul Haque and Mayor-elect of Dhaka South City Corporation Sayeed Khokan along with their family members greeted the Prime Minister by presenting flower bouquets separately.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol