DHAKA, Feb. 10 -- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said if she did not allow her party members to take part in last month's election as independent candidates the democracy of the country would have been snatched away.

"If the election was not opened for all (AL members) then not only the election would have been stained, the democracy of the country would have been hijacked too," she said.

The prime minister was delivering her introductory speech at the extended meeting of Awami League at her official residence Ganabhaban.

This election was important to maintain the country's status as a developing country, she said.

"We should not forget the election manifesto that we announced before the election to retain this achievement....