Speaker sees no possibility of Hasina's return even in 10 yrs

Drawing on his political experience, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram on Thursday said there is no possibility of Sheikh Hasina returning home even in the next 10 years.

"My political experience says there is no possibility of Sheikh Hasina returning even in the next 10 years," he said while talking to journalists at the district circuit house here.

He said "During its time in power, the Awami League created an environment in which it was not possible for honest, good and neutral people of society to take part in elections. That is why a radical reform of the electoral system is now necessary."

A person who is not wealthy or affluent but has popularity and acceptability in society should be given an opportunity to contest elections, he opined, saying for this, the Election Commission must set a system that gives ordinary people a chance to contest elections.

The Speaker also said the upcoming local government elections should be, and must be, free, fair and impartial.

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"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.

Highlighting the potential of natural gas in Bhola, he said there is a sufficient amount of gas in the district. This gas appears to be equal to the country's current reserves and it is hoped that there are more gas reserves in Bhola, he added.

"The people of Bhola have been suffering for a long time. Gas is the rightful right of the people of Bhola....," he said.

Later, the Speaker left Bhola for Dhaka after concluding a three-day visit to his constituency Lalmohan-Tazumuddin.