January 7 election to be engraved in history’s golden letters: Sheikh Hasina

DE Online Desk
Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has said no one could survive in Bangladesh politics if they follow the suggestion of their foreign masters.
“BNP was out to foil the national election (held on January 7). They have some (foreign) masters. They don’t know the Bangladesh people. It will not be possible to survive in Bangladesh following masters’ advice,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina highlighted the resilience of the electoral process, noting that even in the face of arson attacks reminiscent of 2013, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) failed to disrupt the election.
She said that January 7 witnessed a truly beautiful and transparent election, marking a departure from the tainted electoral history since 1975.
“After ’75, votes were stolen in the name of elections. Political parties were formed from the pockets of military rulers. Every person has been harmed by them. But Awami League was not born that way. Awami League was created for people,” Sheikh Hasina stated.
Pointing at Tarique Rahman, Sheikh Hasina criticised those who attempted to undermine the electoral process, asserting that their absence at the polls spoke louder than their threats.
“When they threatened to close the election, we opened the election. You can no longer say about this election that you voted at night. This time the ballot went in the morning,” Sheikh Hasina declared, commending the Election Commission for conducting an orderly election.
Talking about the common people, Sheikh Hasina highlighted the inclusivity of the electoral process, noting the participation of individuals spanning generations.
Turning to the defeated candidates, Sheikh Hasina urged them to accept the results gracefully, emphasising that the people’s choice had prevailed.
She cautioned against fostering conflicts, stating, “Those who wanted to play big games with the elections have failed completely. Those who fail, their revenge awakens.”
“People have faith in us. We had no fear of government formation. Because what the people want, that will happen and that is what happened in this election,” Sheikh Hasina said, citing examples of individuals, including a 120-year-old woman, who went to the polling center to cast their votes.
Sheikh Hasina also acknowledged existing conspiracies aimed at causing discord and famine, urging caution and unity among the citizens.
She assured that the government and cabinet would be formed according to parliamentary rules after the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected MPs.
Sheikh Hasina’s optimistic tone reflects a belief in the democratic process and the power of the people, as he sees the January 7 election as a landmark event in Bangladesh’s political history.
Quoting the aged women, she said, “I want to cast my vote for Sheikh Hasina for the last time.”
General Secretary of the AL Obaidul Quader, MP, also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, the central executive body of the AL led by its general secretary greeted prime minister and party president Sheikh Hasina with a flower bouquet.
The AL has bagged 222 seats out of 298 in the 12th parliamentary polls. The newly elected lawmakers will take oath at the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat at 10:00am on Wednesday.