PM Hasina calls people for keeping confidence in Awami League

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the people to keep confidence in the Awami League and vote for its electoral symbol 'boat' to win in the next elections.

The Awami League president made the call at a rally in Laxmipur on Tuesday during her visit to the district after 20 years. The next parliamentary election is scheduled for 2019.

"The Awami League has already proved that it is possible to work for the people's welfare if someone wants to," she said and added, "There is no need to demand anything from the Awami League. Because the Awami League liberated the country and it knows how to work for the development of the people."

"So, you will keep confidence in the Awami League and vote the 'boat' symbol in all the polls in the future exactly like you did in 2008 and 2014 to give us the opportunity to serve you," she said.   

Noting that her government has taken a target to make the country a middle-income one by 2021 and developed by 2041, the prime minister said, "We want your blessings, love and votes in all the elections."

She then asked the audience, "Shall you vote for boat?"

"Yes," the audience responded.

After arriving in Laxmipur in the afternoon, the prime minister inaugurated 10 projects, including first phase of protecting the Meghna river banks at Ramgati and Kamlanagar, Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court complex, Youth Training Centre, and Laxmipur Sadar Upazila Parishad complex.

She also laid foundation stones of 17 projects that include a 250-bed hospital and a regional passport office complex.

Laxmipur town and adjacent areas were decorated with posters, banners and festoons to mark the visit of the prime ministers. Many archways have also been raised.

The crowd at the rally stretched out of the stadium where the main podium was elected.

Sheikh Hasina told the gathering: "We want this country to be developed and prosperous. Insha-Allah we will be able to do it. We will build a Bangladesh with the spirit of Liberation War."

She claimed that 50 million people ‘graduated’ to middle-income class from low-income. "There will be no poverty in Bangladesh. Everyone has to stand on his or her own feet," she said.

She also criticised the Awami League's main rival the BNP for various issues.

Pointing out the maritime boundary, she said the Awami League government settled the dispute with the neighbouring countries. The land boundary deal with Indian is implemented, and the Ganges water sharing agreement was signed, Hasina said adding "The BNP was also in power, but they could not do anything."

"The Awami League comes to power to give something while the BNP comes to power to play the people's fate. That's unfortunate. Killings, corruption and creating militancy are in their character. They even stole money from the orphanage," Hasina added.

She also criticised the BNP and its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami for ‘deadly protests’ after Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee's conviction for war crimes, during the 2014 elections and months of blockade in 2015.

"But the people have built resistance against them," she said.

The prime minister pledged to set up mosque complexes and Islamic culture centres at every district and Upazila.

She said she has 'nothing to seek for personal benefit' after losing her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most other members of his family in the massacre on Aug 15, 1975.

"I am ready to sacrifice my life like my father if needed," she said.

She also pledged to establish a science and technology university under government or private arrangement.

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