Hasina rules out possibility of understanding with BNP

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ruled out possibility of any political understanding with BNP, saying that nobody should come up with such a proposal.

“Those who are thinking about political understanding with the BNP should discard such thought,” she told a press conference at Bangladesh's Permanent Mission in New York on Friday morning (Friday evening Bangladesh time).

She added: “No understanding could be reached with those who killed my parents . . . those who believe in the politics of terrorism and killing.”

The premier also accused BNP of making desperate attempts to destroy the country.

“I have no intention to bring back those in politics who are involved in the terrorism and killing. So nobody should propose for political understanding with BNP,” she said.

The press conference was convened to brief the media about the outcome of her participation in the ongoing 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN Masud Bin Momen were present at the presser, moderated by premier's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.

The premier said though it was impossible for someone to reach any understanding with his or her parent's killers “I tried to make understanding with the BNP leader before the 2014 election”.

Sheikh Hasina recalled that she made a phone call to Khaleda Zia and went to her office to console following her younger son's death.

“But I was not allowed to enter the office,” she said.

Responding to a question on the influx of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh, the premier said if the country could feed its 16 crore people, it could also feed 7or 8 lakh refugees.

“I have talked to Sheikh Rehana in this regard and she also expressed the same opinion,” Sheikh Hasina said.

On a question that whether any discussion was held with China and India about Rohingya issue, the premier said the diplomats of all countries including India and China visited the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar and everybody showed sympathy towards them.

“The internal matter of any country on the issue is not a matter of our consideration,” she said.

She also mentioned that India and China came forward and were sending relief materials to Bangladesh for the Rohingya refugees.

“They are extending all sorts of cooperation,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina mentioned that Myanmar has dispute with its five neighbouring countries.

Sheikh Hasina said her goal was to establish Bangladesh as a self-reliant and dignified country as “we want to move keeping our head high”.

“I may not exist forever. But I want to build Bangladesh in such a way so none could turn it into a beggar's country,” she said.

Source: BSS