Revive the party: Hasina

Awami League President Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered the party leaders to revitalise its organisation.

At a meeting of the party’s presidium and advisory council on Saturday in Ganabhaban, she told central leaders to form teams and tour the country.

“The party is the important thing. You must put the party in order,” she said.

Awami League’s grassroots activists have been complaining that its long tenure in the government has dampened its political vigour and heightened factional strife within..

Hasina's call came on a day the BNP and its allies announced a nationwide shutdown after a long hiatus.

Hasina advised that the party leaders should form seven teams for seven divisions and tour the country to organise the local councils.

“Many Upazila and union-level units are holding councils. You’ll have to find new leadership from there,” she said.

“These can’t be just tours. You must stay there and supervise the councils.”

She instructed the leaders to talk to the public about the government’s success and the destructive activities of BNP and Jamaat.

Hasina said her government would move forward despite the trials, tribulations and conspiracies.

Middle-income by 2021

Sheikh Hasina said her government was working relentlessly to turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021.

“Not much longer...I believe we can turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021 and by 2041 a developed country,” she told her party leaders.

She emphasised on formulating long-term plans for development.

She spoke about her government’s plans to create 13 new industrial zones and said these would create new jobs.

Hasina said her government has succeeded in eliminating famines from the northern region.

She emphasised on shifting cargo transport to waterways to reduce transport costs.