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Hasina won't budge

Appears adamant on holding polls with or without other parties; says 'no' to change in polls schedule

Partha Pratim Bhattacharjee and Hasan Jahid Tosher
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government remains firm in going ahead with elections on January 5 even though its former ally Jatiya Party has decided not to take part.
Despite the blow from the Jatiya Party and the BNP-Jamaat-led opposition's violent movement, Hasina told her party colleagues, "I will bow down to no one."
"Nobody will be able to foil the election and there is no scope for changing the election schedule. If someone tries to stop the polls, he or she will be arrested no matter who that person is," a party leader quoted her as saying during a meeting of the Awami League Central Working Committee at Gono Bhaban last night.
The meeting at length discussed the Jatiya Party's decision not to take part in the polls even after its candidates had filed nomination papers.
Hasina told the Awami League leaders at the meeting that her party would be in the election even if no other party took part.
She asked party nominated candidates for the upcoming polls to go their constituencies and begin their campaign. She also urged them to make sure there was a high voter turnout and all steps were taken to maintain law and order.
She directed her party leaders and lawmakers to launch counter strikes on the BNP-Jamaat men if they tried to attack people and Awami Leaguers to foil the polls.
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Urging the leaders to strengthen the party at necessary places, she said attacks were being carried out at places in the country where the Awami League was weak.
Awami League Organising Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim told The Daily Star after the meeting, "We will take appropriate measurers wherever necessary." He said the Awami League would not be sitting idle when people were being attacked.
After the meeting, Awami League spokesperson Syed Ashraful Islam briefed newsmen. He said the next election would be held in accordance with the Election Commission's schedule.
" Despite the hurdles, the Awami League will take part in the election and the election will be held under the Sheikh Hasina-led government," he said.
Criticising several diplomats stationed in Dhaka for playing "dubious roles", he said, "In your countries, elections are held under elected governments and we are doing the same."
He came down heavily on the opposition BNP-Jamaat coalition for "killing people" and "destroying public properties". "No movement can stop the polls," he said, urging the parties boycotting the polls to take part in the elections.