Awami League President and Prime Minster-in-waiting Sheikh Hasina has vowed to honour people's mandate on the basis of priority.

Hasina was addressing her first post-election press briefing at the China-Bangladesh Friendship centre in capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Wednesday morning.

She said the new government would do it task to build up hunger-free digital 'Sonar Bangla' in the spirit of the Liberation War by reducing prices of essentials, comabting terrorism , combating crime and trying the war criminals as per their earlier commitment in the Election manifesto.

The leader of the upcoming ninth parliament termed widespread poverty in the country as the key enemy and called upon all to work together irrespective of party affiliation to build up a poverty-free Bangladesh.

"The landslide triumph in the Jatiya Sangsad election is not the victory of AL or grand alliance alone; it's the victory of whole nation. This win in the victory month is for good governance against misrule, peace in opposition to terrorism and secular democracy against people communalism," Hasina observed.

"It would be a real victory for us when we would be able to establish a modern, scientific and developed Bangladesh; countrymen would live a better life as the citizens of a peaceful country in South-Asian region," the AL President continued, "The landslide victory would get a real shape when rules of law, human right and good governance will be ensured and spirit of hard-earned independence will be materialised."

In her 40-minute briefing, Hasina directed the partymen not to be overwhelmed at this victory and to remain clam and disciplined with a view to serving the people, who expressed their anger against the misrule and tyranny of the erstwhile BNP-Jamaat through the historic December 29 polls.

"We don't believe in vindictive politics. We want to avoid politics of confrontation and present a new political culture in the country in the days ahead," she hoped adding "It's true that many of us was victimized and lost our kith and kin following the vindictive politics during the BNP-Jamaat rule, but as we achieved victory, we should forgive them and have to work unitedly for the betterment of the country and its people."

Expressing her desire to work in unison with the opposition in Parliament to strengthen democracy and build up a new political culture across the country, the would be Premier said, "We'll not evaluate the opposition's stand by numbers of their electoral seats. Opposition is also a part of the government in parliamentary democracy and their positive participation would make the parliament effective."

Hasina, would be Prime Minster of Bangladesh soon, offered the opposition for the post of Deputy Speaker and some chairmanships of the parliamentary standing committees in the JS.

Asked about Khaleda's rejection of the poll's result, she said, "They should accept the people's mandate as the election was held in a free, fair and transparent manner."

The AL chief thanked the Chief Adviser, Election Commission, law enforcers, different professionals, civil society members, journalists both home and abroad, election observers and individuals concerned with the election process. She also thanked the Bangladesh Army for their significant role for voter list preparation.

Responding to a question of a foreign journalist about the misuse of power by the MPs, Hasina said, "I guarantee you to combat corruption as it's my election pledge. It's my commitment to preserve the people's right and materialise hopes and aspiration of the citizens. I seek everyone's cooperation in this regard."

Hasina, replying to another question, proposed the formation of a joint taskforce by SAARC countries to launch a combined action against terrorism in the region and said that no terrorist outfits will be tolerated.

Asked if she would play any role in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan, the Premier-in-waiting said the two neighbouring countries should have good relations and said, "All South Asian countries should make joint efforts to alleviate poverty and sufferings of the people. I would like to take necessary initiative, whatever I can do, to restore peace and friendly relations in the regions."

Replying to a query, the AL Chief sought the release of Myanmar's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, from prolonged confinement and friendly relations with all neighboring countries.

About the trial of war criminal issue, Hasina said, "Judgment of the war criminals have already been completed through the verdict of the people against them. Legal process will be applied in this connection."

The AL President is expected to be sworn in on or before January 10 as Prime Minister, her second time after a break of seven years. This party alone won a memorable bigger-than-two-thirds majority in the 300-member parliament in the polls on Monday last. 

In the press conference, senior leaders of 14-party, a good number of newly elected parliament members, editors of some newspapers and senior journalists were present. Meanwhile, no leaders of Jatiya Party, one of allies in the AL-led mega alliance were seen there.

[The Bangladesh Today]

[South Asian Intelligence Review]