Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina indicated that her present and third consecutive term could possibly be her last as prime minister. She said she wanted to create room for younger leaders.
"It's the third consecutive term and before that I was prime minister [1996-2001], so it's my fourth term. I don't want to continue for more [time]. I think that everybody should take a break so we can accommodate the younger generation," she told during an interview with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW).
The Awami League and its allies secured 96 percent of the seats in parliament in the general election held on Dec 30 last year.
Citing the rapid economic progress in the last ten years of the Hasina administration, DW said that Bangladesh is now moving toward classified as a lower- to middle-income country.
Hasina said eradication of poverty will continue to be her administration’s top priority.
"Food security, housing, education, healthcare, job opportunities; these are basic needs," she said. "Definitely, every human being wants a better life… We have to insure that."
On criticisms that she has not done much to ease restrictions on freedom of expression and prevent attacks on liberal thinkers in Bangladesh, Hasina said she supports free thought.
"If you work more you will hear more criticism," she argued, adding, "You should ask my people whether they are satisfied or not, what they think, whether they are getting all they need, whether I can provide this."
Responding to accusations of stifling political discourse and trying to establish a one-party rule, Hasina said, "This time, Awami League candidates were elected in 260 constituencies [out of 300]. So, other parties are also in parliament. How can it be one-party rule?"
Describing the opposition parties as weak, the Awami League chief told the German media outlet, “If any particular party can't reach people's minds, can't get their trust and doesn't get votes, then whose responsibility is this? This actually portrays their weakness.”
Responding to a query on the Rohingya crisis, the prime minister said that Bangladesh has already selected an island, where houses and cyclone shelters have been built, to relocate the refugees living in timid and squalid camps.
“We want to take them there and give them work, so that young men and women can do something and earn money," she told DW.
In order to tackle the problem, Hasina said she wanted to maintain good diplomatic relations with Myanmar and that it was imperative that Bangladesh's neighbors China and India lend a helping hand.
The European Union would also need to provide support, she said, above all in sending the refugees back to their country of origin.
"We do not want to fight with Myanmar. We are also trying to cooperate with China and India. But the pressure is increasing on Bangladesh," Hasina said, adding, "I think the international community, including the European Union, has some responsibilities (for repatriation). Their responsibilities should not be limited to only providing aid to Rohingya in Bangladeshi camps. Actually the same aid can be provided in Myanmar shelters once they are taken back."