Dialogue with opposition if only Biden sits with Trump: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said she will have dialogue with the opposition if the United States President Joe Biden does the same with former US president and 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump.

"Is Biden having a dialogue with Trump? The day they have a dialogue, I will also have a dialogue with the opposition," she said at a press conference at Gonobhaban referring to the US ambassador's call for dialogue with the opposition earlier Tuesday.

Illustration: TBS

She further said the BNP will not be able to stop the next general election by resorting to violence as they had failed to foil the 2014 and 2018 polls. "Inshallah, the election will be held in time," she said.

Addressing the ongoing garments workers' unrest, she said the workers risk their livelihoods when they damage factories.

"If the factories that provide you with employment are damaged, where will you find jobs? In such a scenario, returning to your village might become your only option."

The opposition BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have recently staged a series of political protests, including mass rallies, hartals, and countrywide blockades, as part of their "final push" to oust the ruling Awami League and demand that the next election be held under a neutral government.

On Tuesday, following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas expressed hope that all sides going forward will engage in a "dialogue" without preconditions to de-escalate tensions and find a path forward to free, fair and peaceful elections, reports UNB.

The prime minister said the people of Bangladesh "do not want any dialogue with killers."

She accused the BNP of wanting to create an unusual situation ahead of the national election. She said the violence and arson carried out by the BNP on 28 October proves that it is a "terrorist organisation".

"The BNP does not want elections, they want to create chaos. The BNP is a terrorist organisation and they will be taught the lesson they need to be taught," she said.

On a question of whether a special tribunal would be set up after the election to quickly dispose of cases against arsonists, the prime minister said, "The arsonists got bail and now move around freely. Some still have cases pending. Now in our country, cases take time."

"We are thinking of how to quickly give out punishments. We cannot allow these arsonists to roam freely."

Pointing to the violence, she said the BNP had engaged in such atrocities before in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

"Those who are carrying out these activities, I urge the people to hand them over to the police. Last time it was people who stopped them and this time we expect the people to do the same," she said.

"The BNP need to be asked what they wish to achieve from this. Their problem is they do not have a leader. We made Digital Bangladesh and they have gone underground using it."

'Won't let them get away'

During the question and answer session of the briefing, the issue of the 28 October violence repeatedly came up.

In response to a question of how to deal with the violence, she said she would "burn the hands of those who start the fire."

"I will not let them get away. They would not be able to stop the elections. The people are with us. You cannot harm the people in the name of politics."

Asked why the BNP-Jamaat was not talking about the war in Palestine, the PM said, "For whose interests are they keeping silent? It seems that there is a good understanding between Israel and the BNP.

"The same way Israel attacked Palestinians in hospitals, BNP is also attacking hospitals here. I do not see any difference between the two."

'AL ensures RMG workers' rights'

Agitating garment workers have been clashing with police in different areas including Ashulia, Gazipur and Dhaka for several days to push home their own demand for a hike in the minimum wage.

The prime minister mentioned how the minimum wage was hiked to Tk3,500. "Then we raised it to Tk5,300. Then Tk8,300. In 14 years, we raised their wages thrice to Tk8,300."

She added, "We arranged day care centres for their children. When they could not get wages, I ensured they get it through their mobile phones."

Acknowledging increasing prices of commodities, she said, "By December the minimum wage would be raised. These discussions are ongoing."

"I am saddened by the news of death in the garments' unrest."

The premier said, "When the garment workers made their demands, our labour ministry formed a committee to address the issue. The committee is actively engaged in discussions, and during these deliberations, it was mentioned that there may be a wage increase starting in December. The exact amount of the increase is still under consideration."

"Amidst these negotiations, a sudden wave of arson and factory destruction incidents occurred, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives. This is indeed a deeply unfortunate situation."

'Mian Arefy was hired'

On Mian Arefy, the so-called adviser to US President Joe Biden who became highly discussed following his appearance at a press conference at the BNP's office on 28 October, the prime minister said, "The way they hosted him, gave him the chance to speak, the lies that were said… it look like they hired him to boost their [BNP] image."

When he was arrested, he confessed that he was hired, she added.

On (Retd) General Hasan Shahid Sohrawardi who was named in the case against Mian Arefy, she said, "He won't be spared. I have directed that he be arrested and questioned. We are looking for him. No matter who he is – we will deal with him."

Earlier on Sunday, a case was filed against Mian Zahidul Islam Arefy, on charges of committing treason by destabilising the country by resorting to lies.

'Brussels visit fruitful'

While reading out a written speech in the press conference on her visit to Brussels, the prime minister called the visit very fruitful saying Bangladesh's partnership with the European Union (EU) reached new heights during the visit, reports BSS.

"New doors of investment opportunities in renewable energy, connectivity, education and research, digital infrastructure and medical equipment manufacturing in Bangladesh have been opened up under the Global Gateway," she said.

She added: "Through my visit, I am hopeful that Bangladesh's bilateral relations with Belgium and Luxembourg will be deepened and areas of cooperation will be expanded."

She visited Brussels, the capital of Belgium, from 24 to 26 October to attend the Global Gateway Forum organised for the first time by the EU.