Masters' advise won't work for political survival: PM

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today said no one could survive in Bangladesh politics if they follow the suggestion of their foreign masters, in an apparent reference to BNP.

"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' advise," PM said.

"We have no (foreign) masters. The people of Bangladesh are our masters and our strength. The people's faith and confidence is our strength," she said.

Younger daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and younger sister of the Prime Minister, Sheikh Rehana presented a flower bouquet to her elder sister Sheikh Hasina.

The premier said that they (AL) have no foreign masters as the people are their strength.

Despite conspiracies of the BNP-Jamaat clique to thwart the 12th parliamentary election, Sheikh Hasina said a free, fair, neutral and participatory election was held with spontaneous participation of the people.

"The January 7th election will be written in golden letter in the history of Bangladesh," she said extending thanks to the people concerned including election commission, law enforcement forces, and armed forces for holding a wonderful election.

She said the 7th January election was totally free, fair, disciplined, participatory and competitive among the polls held after 1975.

"We have proved that the election can be held in a free and fair manner under the Awami League government," she said.

The prime minister asked the party leaders and workers to work in unison forgetting everything for the welfare of the country and its people.

She said they have opened the polls to make the election participatory and competitive.

The AL president said many of the party nominated candidates have defeated to independent candidates, even though they thought they will win.

Mentioning that conspiracies are being hatched to cash in on the differences between the party men, she said, "So, work shoulder to shoulder for the welfare of the country and its people forgetting everything by showing respect the people's mandate," she said.

The premier commended the spontaneous participation of the women folk in the election, saying it is the outcome of ensuring women empowerment.

In this connection, she said a 130-year old woman had casted her vote for Boat in her Tungipara-Kotalipara constituency.

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 tomorrow.