Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said there is no need to hold political dialogues with the opposition BNP before the next general election and suggested it follow the system that is in place for polls.
“Why do you need dialogue? Is it to come [to power] through the backdoor? No way. There is no need for discussions as there is a system and those willing to take part in the election should come forward,” he told Voice of America Bangla in an exclusive interview during last week’s US visit.
Momen made a counter question to VoA journalists: “Do the Democratic Party and the Republican Party or other parties hold discussions before the election? No. Never. Because there is a system. They follow that system.”
The foreign minister said: “Those whom you are referring to began their journey through guns. They believe in guns, not in ballots.”
Momen said his party, the Awami League, has trust in the people and that is why it wants a “free, fair, transparent and credible election… Because we believe in people. We want a model election.”
The foreign minister said Bangladesh is the country where 3 million people sacrificed their lives to uphold justice, democracy, human dignity and human rights. “In each of our blood, democracy is there with the right to vote.”
The United States has reiterated its desire to see a free and fair election in Bangladesh, noting that the world will be observing Bangladesh’s next national election.
“Of course, we are looking – the world is looking – to Bangladesh for its next election, to make sure that they set a strong example of free and fair election for the region and for the world,” US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said during his meeting with Momen on April 10.
“I agree with Secretary Blinken. I am so happy that he also wants a model election which can be portrayed to the rest of the world. I want that too, and we seek support from all,” Momen told VoA Bangla.
To have a fair election, Momen said, all parties should demonstrate sincerity and political commitment.
He said the Awami League has always come to power through elections and never through coups or “bullets.”
“Others are not even close to us in terms of the level of sincerity and commitment we have for democracy.”
Momen said the BNP should participate in the election if it believes in democracy.
He mentioned that the BNP boycotted elections in the past and carried out destructive activities to halt elections. “We do not want to see that situation again.”
Momen said he requested Blinken to send as many election observers as possible but they should be independent and must not be of Bangladeshi origin, to avoid partisanship.
“We have nothing to hide. Because we have done an excellent job over the last 14 years and we are convinced that people will vote for us in spite of stories being cooked up… people will not believe those stories,” he said.
