BSS, Geneva/ Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made it clear that the next national election will be held on time to uphold the continuation of the democratic trend in the country.
"The election will be held on time, people will cast their vote, people will give the vote to whoever they want as the sole owner of their vote ... whoever gets the people's vote will form the government. This is the democratic trend, and it will continue," she said.
The premier made these remarks while addressing a civic reception accorded to her at Hilton Hotel in Geneva last evening by expatriate Bangladeshis in Switzerland.
Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the ruling Awami League (AL), said that as BNP knows very well that they would not get any vote from people due to their evil deeds and that is why they are now looking to backtrack from the election process.
"Actually, they [BNP] are the party of thieves and vote riggers, it is not possible for them to come to power without vote dacoity," she said.
In the past, she mentioned that BNP grabbed state power by accepting the pre-conditions to sell the resources of the country.
"So, people do not want them anymore and for that reason, they do not get votes from the people, and that is why they are looking for ways to step back from the election," she added.
About BNP's repeated threat to overturn the AL government, Sheikh Hasina said the government is not that weak.
"There was uproar regarding December 10, they will oust the government, we're not at that point of weakness that they will topple us, we've people with us, our strength is our people," she said.
Regarding the BNP's demand of forming a caretaker government during the election period, she said, "We've formed totally independent Election Commission, but BNP is still making the demand of the caretaker government.
"By bringing those thieves to power, by bringing the anti-independence force to power, by bringing murderers, we will not allow Bangladesh to bow down to others," she added.
BNP is now spreading various propaganda and resorting to dirty tricks to cover up their own weakness, she said, adding, "Those who killed people in broad daylight, those who looted, committed corruption, it is now the main issue whether they will go to elections under the leadership of a convicted and punished person."
Referring to the sacrifices of AL leaders and activists for the establishment of democracy, the PM said "The democratic trend that has been established in Bangladesh today is the result of our movement. My party leaders and workers have given their lives for this. And I narrowly survived the grenade attack."
Highlighting the benefits of the continuation of democracy, she said, "The country has changed because of unhindered democratic trend, today the country has developed, today Bangladesh has occupied a dignified position in the world."
Reiterating her determination to build a "Smart Bangladesh", Sheikh Hasina said the country will move forward with the status it has got today. "We will build the hunger-poverty-free, advanced and prosperous smart Golden Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by 2041."
Appreciating the role of expatriates in any crisis in Bangladesh, the prime minister said remittances sent by expatriates play a huge role in the country's economy.
She urged the expatriates to send money through legal channels instead of sending remittances to the country through "hundi".
She advised people who are interested in going abroad to be aware and careful about brokers and also urged them to go abroad in a legal way through registration.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Law Minister Anisul Huq, among others, were present on the stage.
Expatriate Bangladeshis living in various European countries including Switzerland and AL leaders and activists were also present in the event.
