Joy: We'll do better than 2008 this time

The prime minister's son and ICT Advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said the ruling Awami League will win the 11th parliamentary elections in a landslide, as “nobody can defeat AL in the polls”. Speaking at a press conference at Awami League President and PM Sheikh Hasina's Dhanmondi political office on Monday, Joy said he had “good news” for the ruling party and it supporters. He said: “We have carried out a survey on the next general elections. According to the survey, if we go to polls today AL will get more votes than the 2008 polls. “Awami League's contenders will lose by a massive margin. This success is the result of all the massive development this government has undertaken.” Before the press conference, Joy attended a meeting of senior Awami League leaders to hear their feedback on various current political issues. When asked whether the coming national elections would be participatory, he said: “That is not the important thing. What is important is whether it will be free, fair and neutral. “As a democratic political party BNP should participate in the next general elections. But we cannot force anyone to do so.” He warned the party to remain alert about conspiracies which could mar the elections. "We should be alert about BNP and Jamaat trying to carry out arson and violence like the last elections," he said. The ICT adviser said he will not be contending in the next general elections. “I am letting you know in advance that I will not be a candidate. My goal is to bring the party to power (and) I do not desire a parliament seat, or a cabinet seat,” he said. The adviser said he was busy working on the party's ICT agenda and the organisations Young Bangla and CRI among others, and had not been able to come to the party office “for some time”. The PM's ICT adviser said the party will carry out election campaign in all avenues, holding demos, rallies, and campaign ads on print, electronic and social media. Joy came to Dhanmondi office around 3pm. AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Office Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap, Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Ashraful Alam Khokon were present among other senior leaders.Bangla Tribune contributed to this story