Hasina offers Home Ministry to opposition in interim govt

Dhaka: As tension escalated in Bangladesh over the general elections, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has offered the Home Ministry to the BNP-led opposition alliance in the interim government to persuade them to participate in the January 5 polls.

Reassuring the opposition a free, fair and credible election, Hasina asked them to participate in the upcoming parliamentary polls and join the all-party government. "Which ministries do you want? Even if you want the home ministry, we are ready to give it," she said. Hasina said opposition leader Khaleda Zia was trying to make way for undemocratic rule. She said that her government will not allow any unconstitutional force to rule the country. "We will allow no unconstitutional forces to grab state power again. We do not want martial law either," she said while addressing a rally marking the 41st founding anniversary of Awami League`s youth front yesterday. Criticising Zia for "killing innocent people" in the name of movement, Hasina asked her to come out on the streets to prove her determination. "You have kept yourself in hiding and hired miscreants to burn people alive. It`s unfair. If you want to continue the movement, come out on the streets and show your strength," she said. Condemning the incidents of arson, vandalism and violence during opposition?s blockades, the Premier said, "Khaleda has gone mad for power". Hasina asked Awami League activists to take to the street to resist the subversive activities of the opposition parties. Hasina, however, said no one could foil the election and it would be held on schedule. She also criticised some civil society members who recently called on President Abdul Hamid seeking his intervention to end the ongoing political impasse. The BNP-led alliance has rejected the interim setup led by Hasina and demanded the installation of a "non-party" government to conduct the elections. Meanwhile, two persons were shot dead as Bangladesh`s main opposition BNP and its allies yesterday began a 72-hour nationwide blockade to push for the postponement of general elections, a day after ending another protest that claimed 22 lives.