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PM-PRESS-POLITICS
Breaking any party not my policy: PM
DHAKA, April 26, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today refuted
allegations of mounting pressures on opposition MP elects to take oath as
lawmakers saying she does not believe in splitting any party for the sake of
political diversity.
“Breaking any party is not my policy. Each party has its unique
characteristics as well as liberty (to run themselves),” she told a press
conference, called to brief the media on her maiden April 21-23 Brunei visit.
The premier simultaneously refuted allegations of government pressures on
particularly MP elects from BNP to swear in as lawmakers saying they took the
oath due to pressures from their own voters, not the government.
“We mounted no pressure (on opposition MP elects) . . . They took oath
due to the pressure of the people (and) they are taking oath at their will,”
she said.
Responding to several questions on internal political issues, she said
the ruling Awami League was not exposed to any bankruptcy in terms of
political strength which could require split opponents.
Sheikh Hasina said her party itself was capable enough to change the
people’s lot and urged the countrymen to review the development process to
realize that no actual development took place when Awami League was out of
power.
She, however, said Bangladesh witnesses a multi-party democracy and each
of the party acts in line with their policy while the people make their
choice according to their preference.
Asked for comments on speculations about BNP chief and jailed ex-prime
minister Khaleda Zia’s parole, she said her government so far received no
petition in this regard.
The premier said the formality demands any imprisoned person to apply if
he or she seeks parole while Khaleda filed no such application and so “I have
nothing to say about this”.
But she reiterated that the ex-premier was serving jail terms on graft
charges under a court verdict while the government has nothing to do
regarding her imprisonment. The corruption case, the premier said, which
eventually sent Khaleda to prison despite her 10 years of legal battle which
too was filed by the past caretaker government.
“It is not a political matter,” the premier said.
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