Prioritize people’s mandate over Indian mandate to avoid Hasina’s fate: Asif to political parties

Political parties in Bangladesh must give priority to the people’s mandate over the Indian mandate if they want to avoid the same fate as ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Advisor Asif Mahmood said today (Nov 30).

Political parties will not be able to come to power with the blessings of external forces, the youth affairs and sports advisor said while speaking at a program at Durgaram Government High School in Muradnagar Camilla, where he studied. “The only way to come to power is through a popular mandate.”

He said that in the current situation in Bangladesh, many conspiracies are being hatched within the country and abroad.

“I am very sorry to say that there is a deep-rooted idea in our political parties that Bangladesh cannot come to power without India’s blessings. The way they speak is very scandalous to the people of this free country,” he said.

Talking about political parties, he said: “If you think that it is impossible to come to power in this country without the blessings of India, then I must point out that no one has received more blessings from India than Hasina. You clearly saw what the people did. Bangladesh did with Sheikh Hasina.

“If you do not want to suffer the same fate, then accept the mandate of the people of Bangladesh as the only way to come to power.”

The advisor said Cumilla was deprived of her rights during the Awami League regime. “I will discuss the demand of this region to make Cumilla an administrative unit and make efforts for its speedy implementation. I would also say that if a unit is formed here, it will be called Cumilla.”

The program provided financial assistance to 35 people who participated in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in July and August.