New Delhi: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday attacked the country's Opposition, a day after securing a record fourth straight term as her Awami League party won two-thirds of the seats in the general elections.
The 76-year-old leader, who has been ruling Bangladesh since 2009, secured a fifth overall term in the one-sided election on Sunday, which was boycotted by the main opposition and drew a low turnout.
Addressing a press conference, PM Hasina said, “Those with ties to terrorist organizations or engaged in illegal activities, fearing elections and refraining from contesting, contribute to the victory of the people, not mine.”
The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted the polls after Hasina refused its demands to resign and allow a neutral authority to run the general election. The party claimed that no election under the incumbent government would be fair and credible.
PM Hasina further stated that India is a "great friend" of Bangladesh and that she considers India a "next-door neighbour."
The Bangladeshi premier said, "India is a great friend of Bangladesh. They have supported us in 1971 and 1975. We consider India as our next-door neighbour. I really appreciate that we have a wonderful relationship with India."
She was referring to her period in exile when she stayed in India for six years after the killing of her family members.
In August 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his wife, and their three sons were assassinated in their home by military officers. His daughters Hasina and Rehana survived the purge as they were abroad.
She said that the main focus of her government in the next five years will be on economic progress.
"In the next 5 years, our main focus will be on economic progress and to fulfil all the work that we have started. We have already declared our manifesto and we follow our election manifesto whenever we prepare our budget and try to fulfil our promises. Development of the people and our country is our main aim," she said.
PM Hasina said that the people of Bangladesh are by nature very smart.
"By nature, our people are very smart and as I mentioned that we want to train our younger generation for the future. It is our target to develop the country by 2041. Smart population, smart government, smart economy and smart society are our main aims," she stated.