PM snubs calls for talks with BNP
FROM PAGE 1
Responding to a query about the proposal by US Ambassador Peter Haas on holding talks without preconditions, Hasina said, “With whom the dialogue should be held? Is Biden holding a dialogue with Mr Trump? The day Mr Trump and Biden hold talks, I will do as well.
“Let him [Peter Haas] have dinner and talks,” she said.
The AL chief blasted the international organisation of journalists for being silent over the attack on 40-45 journalists by “BNP men” on October 28.
On polls-time government, she said, “We are not going to form an election-time government. Rather, the incumbent cabinet will continue routine work to run the country during the polls. The work of the government is hindered if the cabinet is downsized.”
The PM said they followed this system in 2018 even though a polls-time cabinet was formed in 2014 comprising representatives of different political parties.
Hasina said the ministers would not be able to enjoy government’s facilities after the announcement of the election schedule as per the Representation of the People Order (RPO). “They will have to seek votes just as a candidate.”
She said Bangladesh would follow the election-time government system that of Australia, Canada, India, England and other countries with parliamentary democracies.
Blasting the BNP, the PM said they attacked the police hospital and killed people like the Israelis did in Palestine. “There is no difference between the BNP and Israel as the brutality of the attack was the same.”
She criticised the BNP for not making any statement protesting the Israeli attack on Palestine.
Hasina said the BNP would not be able to stop the next general election by resorting to violence like they could not in 2014 and 2018.
About unrest at some garments factories, the premier asked the garment workers to refrain from violence as negotiations over re-fixing their minimum wages were underway.
She said her government on three occasions raised the workers’ minimum wages to Tk 8,300 from only Tk 1,600 in just 14 years.
She said the loss of two lives was very unfortunate.
About the price hike of essentials, Hasina said she has already directed the authorities concerned to take action against the hoarders rather than against retailers.
She said the commodity prices are raised artificially. The hoarders do not want to reduce the prices even when their goods start to rot, the PM added.
Hasina termed her visit to Belgium “very successful”. “The partnership with the European Union has reached a new height during the visit.”
She said Bangladesh has been assured of cooperation so that it continues to enjoy its business facilities in the European Union.
The PM said during her visit Bangladesh signed several agreements with the European Investment Bank and European Commission under which Bangladesh would get €477 as loan and grants in renewable energy and social sectors.