It’s befitting reply to BNP allegation

Dhaka desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the people of Narayanganj gave a befitting reply to the BNP's allegation that free, fair and neutral elections could not be held under the Awami League government.

“The BNP has been making an allegation that free, fair and neutral elections are not possible under the Awami League government. But the people of Narayanganj have given a befitting reply on the allegation by holding the Narayanganj City Corporation polls in a free and fair manner,” she said.

The PM said this when newly-elected Narayanganj mayor Selina Hayat Ivy called on her at the Gono Bhaban in the evening.

“The Narayanganj elections were excellent and I congratulate and thank the people of Narayanganj as well as the Awami League leaders and workers and others concerned for holding the polls in a free, fair and neutral manner,” Hasina added.

She said elections could be held in a free, fair and neutral manner under any political government and her party proved it.

“We can say that every election under the Awami League government had been free and fair…. People cast their votes in all the polls and those who got the people's mandate became winners,” the PM stated.

Hasina, also the AL president, said she gave directives to all concerned for holding the NCC polls in a free, fair and peaceful manner so that people could exercise their franchise properly.

The premier said she had confidence and trust in Narayanganj residents that they would vote for “boat”, the AL's electoral symbol, if they had a chance to cast votes.

“They [people] have given the mandate to Ivy and I congratulate and thank them for this.”

The PM also lauded the Election Commission, the Narayanganj district administration and law enforcement agencies for holding the city polls peacefully.

Narayanganj mayor-elect Ivy also spoke at the programme. AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader and senior party leaders were present.

Ivy registered a landslide victory in Thursday's NCC polls, beating her nearest rival Shakhawat Hossain Khan of BNP by 79,567 votes.