Pakistan and ISI trying to sabotage elections with BNP help: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to WION
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PM Hasina further took a dig at the main opposition party in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), saying that the party leaders were charged with committing war crimes in 1971.
Days before Bangladesh goes to general elections, scheduled to be held on December 30, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the ISI was trying to sabotage the elections with the help of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders in the country.
“Why only blame Pakistan and ISI? If at all we have to blame, we should blame the BNP. BNP is taking bribe and money from the ISI to destroy the democratic structure of the country. There is no love for the country and it’s people. They do not want the country to make any progress,” Hasina told WION.
She further took a dig at the main opposition party in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), saying that the party leaders were charged with committing war crimes in 1971.
“In 1971, they were defeated in the country. They have been charged with war crimes and grenade attacks in the country. People rejected them and brought us to power. They killed our people and intellectuals. People of Bangladesh have not forgotten those days. They are extremely cautious about whom to vote and they are going to reject BNP,” added Hasina.
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BNP and other opposition parties had boycotted the earlier general elections held in 2014 and the ruling Awami League won with almost more than 150 seats being uncontested.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Bangladesh believes in zero tolerance for terrorism in the country. She even backed India’s policy on Pakistan of no dialogue and deliberations till it puts an end to cross-border terrorism. She indirectly hinted at Pakistan’s soil being misused by terror groups to promote terrorism on foreign land.
“There is zero tolerance for terrorism in our country. We are working with other countries, especially with our neighbouring countries, to counter terrorism across the country. Terrorism is a global problem and all stakeholders should work with each other. One thing we are sure of and have taken steps towards is that we are not going to allow our land to promote terrorism on foreign soil,” said Hasina.