Online Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday asked BNP and Jamaat to apologise to the nation for what she said killing people and resorting to arson attacks.

She also urged all parties to take part in the January 7 parliamentary election, saying that the polls door is open for all.

“Jamaat-BNP have killed people and damaged lives and properties by arson attacks. So we want them to apologize to the nation and then come to the polls.  The door of the election is open to all,” she said.

The premier made the call while delivering her opening speech in the first meeting of Bangladesh Awami League’s Election Steering Committee at AL Dhaka district office in city’s Tejgaon area.

The chairman of AL’s Election Steering Committee, Sheikh Hasina, said the election schedule has been announced. “Come and participate in the election, go to the people and ask the people to vote for you,” she said pointing at everyone.

She thanked the Election Commission for announcing the election schedule in time following the rules without being afraid of the arson violence.

The prime minister sought cooperation from the people of the country so that now the election can be held in a fair manner on time.

She said this election is for ensuring the voting rights of the people and formation of a government of their choice. “You cast vote (in the election) with the slogan that I will give my vote to whoever I want,” she added.

Pointing at the youth society, Hasina said her government has made Digital Bangladesh and now everyone is getting its benefits.  Now her government is on an endeavor to make the country as Smart Bangladesh in future.  “We hope that we get their (youth folk) cooperation (to do so),” she said.

She questioned why the people will go to vote for those who killed and plan to kill the common people and why the people will keep trust in them.

The people don’t trust them as they are identified as killers and conspirators, she added.

Noting that election is the constitutional right of the people she said time has come for election and the people will vote.

“If anyone has the courage, they will run the election,” she said, adding that if they have public support, they will get it.

Hasina, also the ruling Awami League president, said the party who is elected by the people in the voting will form the government. They (BNP-Jamaat) are carrying out attacks on the people failing to keep trust in them, she added.