Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the honorable exit of a successful president and taking office of a new president have become possible only due to the continued democracy in the country under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"You know that Mohammad Sahabuddin was sworn in as the 22nd President of Bangladesh today following the departure of M Abdul Hamid as the 21st President. This is the first time in the country's history that a president left his office after 10 years of successful completion of his presidency. And it has been possible due to the continued democracy under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said.
The minister told reporters while exchanging Eid greetings and views at the meeting room of his ministry at the Secretariat in the capital.
Hasan said conspiracies as well as attempts have been orchestrated for the last 14 years to destroy democracy and foil elections in the country.
"Many attempts were made to establish a 'special type of government' by foiling elections and disrupting the practices of democracy and it is being continued till now," he added.
He said, "In the history of our country, we were able to say goodbye to a president with a grand farewell after the successful completion of his 10-year presidency. I think it is the victory of democracy and it has been possible only due to the dynamic leadership of Jananethri Sheikh Hasina."
The minister said the new president Mohammad Sahabuddin is a wise and prudent human being as earlier he served in many important positions, including as District and Sessions Judge, Anti-Corruption Commissioner (ACC) Commissioner and the Coordinator in the Bangabandhu Murder Case. He is a freedom fighter and raised his voice soon after the brutal incidents on August 15, 1975 and subsequently he was imprisoned and subjected to inhuman torture by the then military dictators, said Hasan.
As the ACC Commissioner, he (Mohammad Sahabuddin) proved his deep firmness in dealing with the 'so-called corruption' plot against the Padma Bridge project, the minister said.
"I firmly believe that the new President will serve as a pro-people like his predecessor with great competence and discretion," said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
Replying to a query, the minister said the elections would be held under the Election Commission (EC). And the government will perform as facilitator, he added.
He said the EC has already successfully conducted a number of elections and some city corporations polls will be held soon, he added.
The minister said there were no questions over those polls.
The EC is performing its responsibilities with the utmost sincerity, efficiency and determination, he said, adding, "I think the next elections will also be held in a free, fair and neutral manner with the participation of all parties and it will be acceptable universally. And the President, as the guardian of the state, can perform his responsibility with great prudence."
Replying to another query about a proposal from BNP leaders, the minister said, "This is our country. People are the owners of the country and only they have the power or jurisdiction to elect or dismiss the government of this country. No foreign country has the right to change the government of this country (Bangladesh) and it is not the work of foreigners."
He said it is an anti-national act if leaders of any political party meet foreigners time and again over the issue.
The minister said, "If we have any problems, we have to solve them like in the past. If the BNP has any statement, they can talk with the Election Commission. They can talk with the government too. But visiting foreigners over the issue is an anti-national act.
Replying to another query over the economic situation of Pakistan, Hasan said Bangladesh left behind Pakistan in all indexes many days ago and this is the success of the creation of this country by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha