Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on Tuesday (January 16, 2024), hailed Awami League’s victory in the January 7 election as a triumph for the people of Bangladesh and a continuation of the country’s democratic and developmental journey. “This victory isn’t just for Awami League; it symbolizes the triumph of Bangladesh’s democracy, its people, and the ongoing journey of democracy and development,” she stated.
Addressing a gathering of expatriate Awami League leaders from around the world at her official residence Ganabhaban, who convened to congratulate her on securing a fourth consecutive national election victory, Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League chief, emphasized the government’s success in ensuring the people’s constitutional right to vote in the recent elections.
“We have upheld the constitutional right of the people to vote,” she affirmed.
Highlighting the competitive nature of the election, she noted that the Awami League had broadened the democratic process. “By assigning our electoral symbol, the Boat, to our candidates and inviting interested party members to also participate, we have embraced the spirit of competitive democracy,” she explained.
Sheikh Hasina also addressed the absence of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the election, questioning their future electoral strategy. Reflecting on the 2008 election, she recounted, “In 2008, the BNP, with their 20-party alliance, secured 30 seats, whereas Awami League clinched 233 seats.” She pointed out that the 2008 election results dispelled the misconception of BNP’s parity with Awami League in terms of organizational strength.
The Prime Minister then criticized BNP’s approach to elections, accusing them of attempting to disrupt the electoral process through violence. “Following their defeat in 2008, BNP resorted to arson attacks and violence, aiming to derail subsequent elections. Such tactics only led to their rejection by the people,” she asserted.
Sheikh Hasina concluded that the BNP’s reluctance to participate in elections stemmed from a desire to undermine the process and seek power through illegitimate means. “Their intent wasn’t to engage in the democratic process but to disrupt it and seek unlawful routes to power,” she remarked, reinforcing her commitment to democracy and development in Bangladesh.
