Foreign politicians shower praise on Sheikh Hasina

Foreign politicians attending the 20th National Council of the Awami League have praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her leadership and described her as the leader of the sub-continent.

Vice-president of India’s ruling BJP Vinay Prabhakar Sahasrabuddhe said she is a 'rare' leader of the sub-continent at the opening session of the council.

At least 55 political leaders from China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia, Australia, the UK, Bhutan, and Italy joined the triennial council started on Saturday at the historic Suhrawardhy Udyan in Dhaka with Hasina in chair.

The BJP leader opened his speech calling Hasina as a “true Jananetry” (leader of the people). “You are one of the rare leaders who can really be described as a true Jananetry not only in your country but in the entire sub-continent ,” he said amid applause.

Ghulam Nabi Azad from the Indian National Congress also congratulated Hasina for her fight against terrorism and said all parties in India appreciated her stand.

“We look forward to your role as one of the tallest leaders in the fight against terrorism and to save this sub-continent from its menace," Azad said.

Vice-Minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party Zheng Xiaosong said he was happy to join the convention as a special representative of the ruling communist party.

He praised Sheikh Hasina for “economic development and improving the well-being of the people and maintaining stability.”

He said the Chinese Communist Party and Bangladesh’s Awami League always enjoy 'close relations' and that his party stands ready to deepen the Bangladesh-China relations.

Apart from them, West Bengal’s Education Minister Partha Chatterjee from Trinamool Congress, and Biman Basu of Communist Party of India (Marxist), Dr Ram Sharma Mahat from Nepal, Sri Lankan Religious Affairs Minister AH Mohamad Hasheem, and Bhutan’s Minister of Information and Communications Dina Nath Dungyel were the politicians from SAARC countries who spoke.

Besides, politicians from the UK, Australia, Austria, Canada, Russia, and Italy lauded Sheikh Hasina’s leadership with ‘Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu’ on their lips.

Thank you for fighting terror

Referring to the terror attack, Italian ruling party MP Khalid Chaouki said he was here to tell Bangladesh that “we are together today against violence, against terrorism and we support your country for democracy and for developing together for our common values”.

He also thanked Hasina for her fight against terrorism, saying she was doing a 'great job'.

Italy had lost nine citizens in the Jul 1 Gulshan cafe attack.

Chaouki said both the countries have many things to do together particularly in the new era of SDGs and asked Italians to come and explore Bangladesh.

The MP finished his speech chanting slogan: “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu, Joy Italy”.

Sergey Zheleznyak MP, deputy general secretary of United Russia termed the council as a “historic” event for him.

He said Bangladesh was moving forward fast under Hasina's leadership.

He also lauded her role for fighting terror and ensuing security for South Asia and the world as a whole.

Zheleznyak also recalled Russia’s support to Bangladesh in 1971 War of Independence, which was led by Awami League, the biggest and one of the oldest political parties in the country.

Australian State MP of New South Wales from Labor Party Hugh McDermott said there are “so much common” between his party and the Awami League.

He felt honoured to speak in the same place, the Suhrawardhy Udyan , from where Bangabandhu declared independence in 1971.

He welcomed Bangladeshis and Awami League activists in particular to migrate to Australia.

“Awami League under Sheikh Hasina is at the forefront of rebuilding Bangladesh,” he said. “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”.

Canada’s opposition Conservative Party leader Deepak Obhrai started his speech chanting Joy Bangla slogan and recalled the 1971 when he was 18 years old.

“I grew up in Tanzania, but came to India for a short period of time to finish my high school and that was in 1971,” he said. "Bangladesh has come a long way since then."

“I am very much familiar with your history,” he said, welcoming Bangladeshis to migrate to Canada. “They are great citizens of Canada.”

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena sent his message to the Awami League President Hasina and the prime minister conveyed his best wishes for the convention through Minister Hasheem.
 
“We should recall the sacrifice of the life of your founder Bangabandhu along with family members,” the Sri Lankan minister told the Awami League gathering.