Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina suspects a conspiracy against the government by certain elements inimical to the next parliamentary election. “The PM has warned her ministers that certain elements, especially a section of civil society leaders, were trying to stop the next national polls from being held so that something unnatural could happen in the country,” a minister told The Independent after a Cabinet meeting yesterday.

“The Premier advised the Cabinet ministers to safeguard themselves against such elements. She also advised us to make statements cautiously,” the minister said on condition of anonymity. Quoting the PM, the Cabinet insider said: “The parliamentary polls would be held in time with the participation of all parties. The Election Commission (EC) will hold the polls as per the country’s Constitution.”

The minister said the EC will decide whether to deploy the Army during the polls. “Everybody knows that if required, members of the Bangladesh Army will be deployed as a striking force during the election period,” he added.

Sheikh Hasina also advised her ministers and ruling party MPs to visit their respective constituencies and inform the voters about the government’s development works and its achievements. According to the minister, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's visit to London also came up for discussion in the Cabinet meeting.

The BNP chairperson went to London to avoid possible punishment as she was a prime accused in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case, he said.