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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday disclosed that she was offered a hassle-free reelection in the January 7 polls provided she allowed a foreign country to establish an air base in Bangladesh territory.
“The offer came from a white-skinned man,” she said while delivering her introductory speech at the 14-party meeting held at her official residence Ganabhaban.
She mentioned that the BNP has conspired to prevent elections from being held in Bangladesh.
“But they (BNP) would have done that. If I allowed some country to set up an air base in Bangladesh, then I would have no problem,” she said.
She noted that she gave the same response as she did in 2001 when the United States offered to sell Bangladesh gas to India.
“I clearly said that I am the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. We won our Liberation War, and I don’t want to come to power by renting part of the country or handing it over to another country. I don’t need power,” she said.
She emphasised that if the people want her in power, she will come to power. If not, she will not.
“I am saying this because everyone should know,” she added.
The prime minister said that she faces challenges both at home and abroad.
“The conspiracy is still ongoing,” she stated.
She mentioned that there is a conspiracy to turn Bangladesh into another East Timor.
“Like East Timor...they will create a Christian country taking a part of Bangladesh (Chattogram) and Myanmar with a base in the Bay of Bengal,” she said.
She noted that trade and commerce have been ongoing through the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean since ancient times.
“Many have their eyes on this place. There is no controversy here, no conflict. I won’t let that happen. This is also one of my crimes (in their eyes),” she said.
Hasina questioned which country would be targeted from the proposed air base.
“It may appear it is aimed at only one country, but it is not. I know where else they intend to go,” she said.
She stated that this is why the Awami League government is always in trouble.
“There will be more trouble. But don’t worry about it. The people of the country are our strength. If the people are with us, we will stay in power,” she said.