Unfazed by a boycott by the Opposition, the Awami league-led alliance has decided to go ahead with the January 5 polls in Bangladesh even as premier Sheikh on Wednesday asked the armed forces to be ready for any eventuality amid a BNP threat of “tougher” protests.
“The election must be held and the constitutional process will have to be continued,” a senior Awami league leader quoted Hasina as saying at a late night meeting of alliance members. Hasina said the polls will be held on schedule “whether anyone participates or not”. She, however, added that if the polls were not held under any circumstances, “the government would follow the Constitution”, the Daily Star newspaper reported.
Addressing the army top brass today, Hasina said the military should remain alert to face any eventuality. “We want peace, but you have to remain alert all the time to face any situation and we have to enhance our capability to this end,” she said a National Defence College gathering at her office. The BNP issued a fresh ultimatum on Wednesday, asking the interim Government to accept its demands to install a non-party caretaker set-up by Wednesday evening.