Au-ami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government's first tasks would be to bring down the prices of essentials within people s reach and alleviate poverty. And in this mission, she sought cooperation of her political archrival Khaleda Zia.

"Poverty is our lone enemy and we will have to eradicate it, reduce price hike and .rnprove people's living standard," Hasina said at her first news conference after winning a landslide victory in the ninth parliamentary election on December 29.

A smiling and confident Hasina sought cooperation of all, including the opposition and other political parties, in establishing a new political culture to build a developed, modern and poverty free Bangladesh.

She urged BNP Chairperson Khaleda

Zia to accept the polls results. T think she (Khaleda) should accept the people's verdict reflected in the free, fair and transparent election,” the AL chief told

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reporters in response to a query.

Hasina expressed her wish to share power, including cabinet positions, with the opposition. She offered the opposition posts of deputy speaker and chairmen of a few parliamentary standing committees.

She described the AL-led grand alliance's victory as the result of combined efforts of all.

"This victory is the result of your relentless hard work and sacrifice. But we have to show due respect to the faith and belief the people of Bangladesh have in us," Hasina said at the conference held at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Asking party men to stay calm and snow tolerance, she urged all to work for the nation.

"I know our people faced unforgettable torture, injustice and repression. Many still bear the scars. Many lost their children, many lost parents and many became crippled.

'As winners, we will have to deal with everything with a sense of forgiveness instead of vengeance and take the country forward," she said. "We have to keep in mind that we earned the victory. It is not a victory of the Awami League or the grand alliance alone. It is a victory of the nation and democracy...We have to meet the expectations of the people."

Hasina described her party's victory as "a victory of good governance against misrule and corruption, peace against terrorism and criminal activities, and secularism against fundamentalism".

She urged all political parties to shun the past tradition of politics of vengeance and conflicts and work together for the betterment of the country'.

"I will not weigh the opposition by its seats in parliament. I believe in parliamentary democracy opposition is part of the government. We will uphold the opposition's roles including positive criticism and suggestions to keep parliament active," Hasina said in her 15-minute briefing.

"We do not believe in politics of vengeance. We want to put an end to the politics of confrontation and present a new political culture to the nation." shesaid.

. "Oui real victory-wilLcome when we can ensure rule of law, human rights and good gover-nance, build a digital Bangladesh and implement the sprit of the Liberation War," sheadded.

Proposing formation of joint task forces among the South Asian countries for combined action against terrorism, the former premier said she wants to establish Bangladesh as the most peaceful nation in the region.

VOTEOFTHANKS

Expressing deep gratitude to Almighty /Xllah and seeking blessings from all, Sheikh Hasina thanked and congratulated all--those who took part in the elections, who won or lost irrespective of political affiliations, the first-time voters, officials and staffs of the administration, local and foreign election observers, members of the civil society and other professionals.

She also thanked those who did not vote for the AL for

participating in the free and fairelection.

The AL chid (hanked mem -bers of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies lor keeping law and order under control.

She thanked the caretaker government and the Election Commission for holding a free, fair and credible election and the international communities who assisted the Election Commission and the government in holdingtheelection.

Hasina also expressed deep gratitude to the poor, women and the minority groups.

She welcomed all MPs-elect, many of whom attended the press conference.

Senior most AL Presidium member Zillur Rahman and AL's election conducting committee co-chairman HT Imam accompanied Hasina on the stage. AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil, Presidium members Abdur Razzak, Suranjit Sengupta and Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Workers Party President Hashed Khan Menon, AL leaders Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Abdus Shahid, Dipu Moni and Fazle NurTaposh were present at the conference, among others. AL Publicity Secretary Asaduzzaman Nur conducted the programme.

QUESTION-ANSWER

Sheikh Hasina spent about half an hour to answer questions from local and international journalists.

Responding to a query about the trial of war criminals, she said people have already "tried" the war criminals and the anti-Liberation War forces through ballots, but her government would obviously take legal steps to try them.

Asked if there is possibility of misusing power after such a landslide victory, Hasina said, "Our party or our people will never misuse or abuse power. The Awami League was in power from 1996 to 2001 and that period was a golden period for Bangladesh in all aspects. So, we commit to the people that we want to make sure that they have a better life."

In reply to a query from an Indian journalist, Hasina gave assurance that her government will ’ not allow any terrorist outfit to use Bangladesh's soil against any country including India.

Asked if she would play any role in. reducing_.the exiting tension between India and Pakistan, she said, the two neighbours should maintain good relations and that all countries in South Asia should make joint efforts to alleviate poverty and people's sufferings.

"I will take initiatives if necessary. Bangladesh is a small country. I will try my best to restore peace and friendly relations," she added.

Responding to another query' by a Taiwanese journalist, Hasina demanded release of Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi and said her government would maintain a friendly relation with Myanmar and other neighbouring countries.

In response to a journalist from China, Hasina said her government would maintain friendly relations with the fastest-growing economic powerhouse of the world and sought Chinese investment in Bangladesh.