She came up with the remarks while delivering her introductory speech at a dialogue between the Awami League-led 14-party alliance and Left Democratic Alliance (LDA), a platform of left-leaning political parties, over the national election.

A 16-member LDA delegation, led by its convener Saiful Huq, General Secretary of Biplobi Worker’s Party, joined the talks that started at 7:15pm at the Prime Minister’s official residence Ganobhaban.

The Prime Minister said the then Khaleda Zia-led government had filed 12 cases against her while the army-backed caretaker government 5-6 more.

She said Awami League leaders and activists were tortured after the 2001 election the way people had been tortured by the Pakistani occupation forces during the Liberation War.

Sheikh Hasina said the country’s development will continue if there is a democratic trend.

She said the government has accomplished two difficult tasks -- reviving the Liberation War spirit and holding the trial of war criminals -– with the support of the country’s people. “Bangladesh has achieved the GDP rate of 7.8 percent and the status of a developing country,” she said.

The other LDA delegation members include Mujahidul Islam Selim, president of Communist Party of Bangladesh; Mushrefa Mishu, president of Ganatantrik Biplobi Party; Zonayed Saki, convener of Ganosamhati Andolon; Mosharraf Hossain Nannu, general secretary of United Communist League of Bangladesh; Hamidul Haque, convener of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Anodolon; Khalekuzzaman, general secretary of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal; and Shuvrangshu Chakrabarty, central member of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist).