BNP is sensing poll defeat: Sheikh Hasina

The key battle in the polls is between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the opposition BNP.

Hasina, who is looking for her third straight term to be the PM of the country, warned that they might attempt to sabotage the polls.

“Remain alert to any subversive activity of the BNP and its cohorts,” Hasina was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.

She also wrapped up the election campaign for her Awami League as well as the grand alliance, which her party leads.

The PM addressed election rallies in Cumilla, Jessore, Tangail, Pabna and Panchagarh through video conferencing on Thursday.

Speaking from her Sudha Sadan residence in the capital, she directed her party men to be vigilant against possible opposition “activities to upset the election, reported the Bangladesh-based newspaper.

“They [BNP] could carry out attacks on Awami League leaders and workers as well,” she told the rally in Cumilla, claiming that the BNP so far killed five AL leaders, injured 141, attacked 170 election offices and houses and exploded bombs in 54 places.

“We want every political party to contest the election. It's their right and people will cast vote as they choose… so every political party should conduct their election campaign freely and fairly,” said Hasina,

Bangladesh will celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu in 2020 and the golden jubilee of independence in 2021 and Hasina said she hopes that her party will be in power when these events are observed in the upcoming years.

“We want to celebrate the two occasions with much festivity by establishing Bangladesh a hunger and poverty-free Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Bangabandhu,” she said.