No regrets if I lose power, says Hasina

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said she would be in power if people vote for her party in the next elections but if not, she would bow out.

She, however, expressed her confidence that the people would give their mandate to the ruling Awami League for her government’s development performance.

“It’s I who introduced the slogan, ‘I will cast my my own vote and vote for whoever I like’. So, if the people vote us to power, we’ll be in office, if not, we will not be here. And I have no regrets if I lose power as I played my part,” she told a press conference at her Ganabhaban residence.

The prime minister ruled out the possibility of both snap polls and any dialogue with the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

“There is no such bankkruptcy that we have to go for early elections,” Hasina said.

On the political dialogue for holding an inclusive election, the AL president expressed her views that she would no longer take initiative to hold any talks with BNP chief Khaleda Zia.

“I had been insulted by her when I tried to open dialogue. I no longer would take any such initiative,” Hasina said recalling her heated exchange with Khaleda Zia before the 2014 one-sided elections.

The premier also said she does not want to see corrupt elements and anti-liberation forces to return to power.

She issued a note of warning against any sabotage in the name of movement, she said, referring to the court cases and reports of money siphoning.
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