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DHAKA, Monday (AFP)

Bangladesh's Awami League party chief Sheikh Hasina Wajed pledged to form a government of "national consensus" if she was re-elected in the upcoming national elections.

"Like the last time (after getting elected), I would like to form a government of national consensus," the former prime minister said as she unveiled her party's manifesto for the October 1 general elections.

She added: "we will welcome other parties if they wanted to join my government."

In 1996, the Jatiya Party of former military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad and the leftwing Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal joined her "government of national consensus" but other parties refused her offer.

On the issue of corruption and violence, the manifesto said "strong measures" would be taken tackle problems through the establishment of an independent anti-corruption council. A major addition from its previous manifesto was the pledge that "no law would be enacted contrary to the holy Koran and Sunnah."

Asked if the Awami League by making such a pledge was giving up one its major principles of secularism, Sheikh Hasina denied, saying "secularism remains in our manifesto and Bangladesh's constitution follows the same in regards to the Koran and Sunnah."

"We are always for respecting all faiths," she added. She said the number of seats reserved for women would be increased from 30 to 60 and will directly elected instead of the past system of being voted by majority party lawmakers. For transparency, the manifesto said the Awami League had already framed a law to create a post of ombudsman and one to give independence to the judiciary. The state-run television and radio would also be guaranteed autonomy.

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