Anti-liberation elements, as well as corrupt people and those who patronise terrorism, are on board the new political coalition Jatiya Oikya Front, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says.
“Several political parties have joined together. Everyone has the right to freely practice politics. We welcome it,” she said while responding to a query during a media call on Monday.
The press conference at the PM’s official residence the Ganabhaban was meant to brief on the prime minister’s recent Saudi Arabia visit.
“They (Jatiya Oikya Front) have come together and the whole nation has seen how they treat women. The coalition also has anti-liberation elements and those who have been involved in corruption and terrorism. Let’s see how the people perceive them,” said Awami League chief Hasina.
“Many (of the Oikya Front leaders) were with the Awami League, they left. Everyone is free to practice politics,” she added.
Before taking questions from the media, the prime minister covered some notable aspects of her trip, including the invitation she extended to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
“We invited the Saudi king to visit,” she said. “He accepted the invitation and expressed his hope that he will make the trip to Bangladesh soon.”
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has also accepted an invitation to visit at a time convenient to both countries, the prime minister said.
Hasina flew for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud.
She returned home early on Saturday wrapping up her four-day visit to the Middle Eastern state.
During her stay in Saudi Arabia, the prime minister had separate meetings with the Saudi king, and Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad bin Salman in Riyadh on Wednesday.
She performed ‘Umrah’ in Makkah on Thursday and offered ziarat at the Rawza Mubarak of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) at Masjid Al-Nabawi in Madinah on Wednesday night.
Besides, Hasina had a meeting with the Saudi business community, including leaders of the Council of Saudi Chamber (CSC) and Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, at Riyadh on Wednesday when five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two countries.
The prime minister also opened the Chancery Complex of Bangladesh Embassy constructed on its own land at the Diplomatic Quarters in Riyadh on Wednesday and laid the foundation stone of the Chancery Building of Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah on Thursday.