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BHOLA: Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram has said there is no possibility of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina returning to Bangladesh within the next 10 years, citing his political experience.
“My political experience says there is no possibility of Sheikh Hasina returning even in the next 10 years,” he told journalists at the district circuit house in Bhola today.
The Speaker said the Awami League had created an environment during its tenure in which honest, capable and neutral people could not participate in elections.
“That is why a radical reform of the electoral system is now necessary,” he said.
He said people who might not be wealthy but enjoyed popularity and public acceptance should have the opportunity to contest elections. The Election Commission should introduce a system that enables ordinary citizens to participate in elections, he added.
Hafiz Uddin also stressed that the upcoming local government elections must be free, fair and impartial.
“Elections were not held fairly over the last 17 years. So the upcoming local government elections will be held freely, fairly and impartially,” he said.
Speaking about Bhola’s natural gas potential, the Speaker said the district had substantial gas reserves that could be comparable to the country’s current reserves. He expressed hope that further exploration would reveal additional deposits.
“The people of Bhola have been suffering for a long time. Gas is the rightful right of the people of Bhola,” he said.
The Speaker left Bhola for Dhaka after completing a three-day visit to his constituency, Lalmohan-Tazumuddin.