Describing Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) elections as free and fair ones, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday  said the people of Narayanganj have given a befitting reply to the BNP allegations through votes, BSS reports. "The BNP has been making allegations that free, fair and neutral elections are not possible during the Awami League government. But the people of Narayanganj have given a befitting reply to that allegations by holding the NCC polls free and fair," she said. The premier added: "The NCC elections were excellent polls and I congratulate and thank the people of Narayanganj as well as Awami League leaders and workers and other concerned for holding the polls in a free, fair and neutral manner."
Sheikh Hasina made the remarks when newly-elected mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) Dr Selina Hayat Ivy called on the PM at her official Ganabhaban residence here this evening.
Awami League-backed candidate Dr Ivy registered a landslide victory in Thursday's NCC polls beating her nearest rival BNP's Advocate Shakhawat Hossain by 79,567 votes.
Selina Hayat Ivy also spoke at the function, while AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader was present on the dais. AL Joint Secretary Dr Dipu Moni conducted the function.
Senior leaders of Bangladesh Awami League and its Narayanganj unit leaders were present. Sheikh Hasina said the election could be held in a free, fair and neutral manner during a political government and her party has proved it.
"We could say that every election during the Awami League government was free and fair ... the people have given votes in all polls and those who got the people's mandate became winners," she said.
The prime minister said she had given directives to all concerned for holding the NCC polls in a free, fair and peaceful manner so that general people could cast vote properly.
Sheikh Hasina said she had confidence and trust in the people of Narayanganj that they would cast vote for boat, the symbol of Awami League, meaning Dr Ivy if they get a chance for giving vote.
"They have given that mandate to Ivy and for this I congratulate and thank them," she said.
The prime minister also extended her heartfelt congratulations to the Election Commission as well as administration and law enforcement agencies for holding the NCC polls peacefully.
"The law enforcement agencies took strict security measures so that the people could exercise of their voting rights without any trouble," she said, adding that the significance of the NCC polls was that a huge number of women and the elderly people, who cannot move, cast vote by riding on wheelchairs.
Regarding the BNP allegations about the NCC elections, the prime minister said they are not getting any words. "Failing to find out any words, they (BNP) now want judicial enquiry ... they will have to say anything when they didn't get anything," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said BNP won five city corporation polls during the tenure of the previous AL government. "Had those polls been rigged, how they won the elections ... AL did nothing in those elections and we accepted the mandate the people gave," she said.
The premier said the BNP was born through capturing state power and General Zia grabbed that power by violating constitution and promulgating martial law. She said General Zia had forced President Sayem to declare him (Zia) president at gunpoint.