Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today said her government's first tasks would be to bring down the prices of essentials and turn the country a poverty-free one gradually.

"Our lone enemy is poverty and we will work hard to eradicate poverty from the country," Hasina said at a press conference at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre at noon.

In her first reaction since the voting ended Monday, the prime minister-elect, who faced several attempts on her life in the past, urged all leaders and activists of her party to stay calm.

"This victory is the result of your relentless hard work and sacrifice. But we have to show due respect to the faith of the people of Bangladesh in us."

She urged all to prepare themselves to serve the nation and to show forgiveness for the past incidents.

"I know our people faced unforgettable torture, injustice and repression. Many still bear the scars. Many lost children, many lost parents and many became crippled.

"But we have to keep in mind that we earned the victory. It is not a victory of the Awami League alone. It's a victory of the nation.

"We want to employ ourselves to build the country taking all with us. We have to meet the expectations of the people."

Hasina also termed her win a victory against corruption, crime and terrorism.

She urged all the political parties to work together in the interests of the country and underlined the need for a hand of the opposition parties to build up the country.

"I won't consider the opposition party with their seats in the parliament. I believe that the opposition is part of the government in a parliamentary democracy.

"We will uphold the opposition's roles including positive criticism and suggestions to keep the parliament active," the AL leader promised in her 15-minute briefing at noon. The briefing started around 12 noon.

Hasina said they would offer the opposition party the post of deputy speaker and chairmanship of some parliamentary committees in proportionate with their seats in the parliament.

"We want to avoid destructive politics and present a new political culture to the nation," Hasina said.

She also expressed her gratitude to all saying, “I congratulate all those who took part in the elections, including those who won or lost irrespective of political affiliations."