Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina, now in London, has sought general election as early as possible to establish an elected government to fight poverty and corruption--two potential enemies facing the country. "Without an elected government, poverty and corruption cannot be eradicated," she said in an interview with David Front of Al Jazeera television on Friday.Hasina admitted the presence of corruption in the country, but hastened to add that it can be curbed by an elected, transparent and accountable government. She observed that the country cannot run long without elections. Asked if she fears harassment once she arrives in Bangladesh, the AL president said, "My people are with me."
Hasina, who was previously barred from entering the country by the current caretaker administration, is now planning to return home any day after May 3. She will deliver a lecture at London School of Economics on May 1 and meet Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon on May 3.
Meanwhile, Awami League presidium member Suranjit Sengupta and BNP leader Brig Gen (Retd) Hannan Shah have urged Law and Information Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein to disclose the names of their party leaders who suggested reforms by keeping Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia abroad.