No dialogue with BNP over election: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ruled out the possibility of holding any talks with the BNP over the upcoming national election.

"If any party wants to participate in the polls, they can. If any party has no capability of taking part in the election, they may not do it," Hasina, also the Awami chief, said at the sixth triennial council of the Mohila Awami League, the women's wing of the ruling party, at the capital's Suhrawardi Udyan Saturday.

"Many say dialogue should be held. With whom should the dialogue be held? With BNP? The convicted Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman who wanted to kill me in a grenade attack?" she asked.

Sheikh Hasina said BNP is free to hold meetings and processions, but her government will take stern action if the opposition resorts to violence in the name of anti-government movement.

"We have no objection to your movement. Bring out processions, hold meetings. But we will not spare a single person if there is any incident of arson attacks, burning people alive and hurling grenades on the innocents," she warned BNP.

The prime minister also lambasted the BNP-Jamaat regime for unleashing a rein of torture and repression across the country after it came to power in 2001.

She asserted that the people of the country will hold an election even if any party boycotts it and they would not accept vote rigging.

"The people are with the Awami League not with the killers. Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman are the killers. On what rights, they will appear before the masses, ask for votes and do politics," she said.

The Awami League chief asked the Mohila AL leaders and activists to work for the wellbeing of the country and its people.

Briefly describing various measures for development of the womenfolk, Sheikh Hasina said her government has been doing everything possible for the women including allowances to widows, elderly women, lactating mothers and pregnant women.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader gave the welcome address as the special guest.

Meher Afroz Chumki was named the president and Shabnam Jahan Shila was named the general secretary of Mohila Awami League at the council.

The fifth and last council of the Mohila Awami League was held in 2017.

The prime minister also announced that hostels for working women will be set up at the district and upazila levels.