No dialogue with BNP, iterates PM

July 27, 2014 00:00:00

Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina ruled out Saturday the possibility of holding any dialogue with Khaleda Zia's party over holding a fresh election saying they have already missed the train, reports UNB.

"They (BNP) have missed the train, so they'll have to wait for the next one (train)," she said.

The PM came up with the remark responding to a question at a press conference organised at her official residence Ganobhaban to brief the media about the outcome of her recent UK tour.

Sheikh Hasina said there has been an election and the people of the country have accepted it, as more than 40 per cent voters exercised their franchise. "Then why are you talking about dialogue repeatedly?" she questioned.

The PM said if BNP had the power to oust the government through a movement it would have joined the January-5 election. "Had they (BNP) had that much power they would have participated in the January 05 election."

Recalling her initiative to hold dialogue with BNP and her phone call to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, Hasina said she does not want to be humiliated again.

Sheikh Hasina also said if there is another round of election the BNP-Jamaat nexus would again unleash killing and destruction in the country.

She said boycotting the election was BNP's wrong political decision. "Taking the right decision at the right time should be the nature of a political party," the PM told journalists.

Sheikh Hasina questioned why should people of the country pay for BNP's wrong decision. "People are now in peace, they're doing their jobs, businesses and other daily activities peacefully. Why will they pay for BNP's wrong decision?"

About the pressure on her from some quarters to hold dialogue with BNP, she said she cannot sit for a dialogue or a compromise with the people who were involved in killing her father, mother, brothers and other relatives, and party workers. "If I tell you to hold a dialogue or go for a compromise with people who killed your father, mother and relatives, can you sit for that. I know you can't."