Pressures on Sheikh Hasina won’t work: PM

PM Sheikh Hasina addressing a press conference at her official residence Ganabhaban on 13 March, 2023 afternoon. Photo PID

Dhaka, Mar 13 – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said no pressures will work on her as she defied many pressures in the past.

"There is no pressure, which can be exerted on Sheikh Hasina. Keep it in mind," she said in reply to a question if she feels any international pressure regarding the next general election.

The PM was addressing a press conference at her official residence Ganabhaban this afternoon on the outcome of her recent official visit to Qatar where she attended the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) from March 4-8.

She said the source of her strength is only her people. Nothing will happen, no matter who exerts what pressure. "We will do whatever is required for the welfare of the people," she added.

In this context, she said her government had constructed the Padma Bridge with its own finances, confronting all the hurdles and ignoring many pressures.

The PM said she had received numerous phone calls from ambassadors to foreign ministers of different countries to keep a person as the managing director (MD) of a bank.

In reply to another question, the PM  ruled out the possibility of holding talks with the BNP ahead of the next generation election.

"With whom will we hold dialogue? We held dialogue (with them) before the 2018 election. What was its result? They did nothing except making the election questionable," she said.

Hasina, also the President of ruling Awami League, said they (BNP) had given its nominations to 700 aspirants in 300 parliamentary constituencies in the 2018 national election. They withdrew their candidates in exchange of money and made the election questionable one, she said.

Referring to another incident, the PM said she went to Khaleda Zia's residence to console her after her youngest son Koko died, but her (Hasina's) access to the house was denied.

"What meeting with them after such a humiliation? It is a clear word. What is the point to sit in dialogue with those who don't know minimum courtesy?" she said.

The Prime Minister said attempts are being made to create an unstable situation in the country, but the conspirators won't succeed without creating a problem for the time being.

"Attempts are being made to create an unstable environment. But I believe that anyone can do nothing. They may create some problems for some time. But our people will resist it,"

PM Hasina returned home on Thursday afternoon after wrapping up her official visit to Qatar.

During her stay in Qatar, she attended the LDC5 conference, several side-line events and a civic reception. - UNB