Over 300 former top bureaucrats, diplomats back Hasina in polls

More than 300 former top civil servants and diplomats have thrown their support behind Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as her Awami League party is seeking re-election again.

The former officials and diplomats met Hasina at the Ganabhaban on Friday.

They included 57 former secretaries, chiefs and members of different departments and commissions, nine ambassadors, and 75 additional and joint secretaries.

As many as 27 engineers, 14 former officials of the health cadre, 14 of education, 11 of forestry and post, 10 of police, 11 of tax and information, 67 of agriculture and telecom, and 11 of customs and excise, audit and accounts, railways and food were also among them.

They spoke about their trust in Hasina’s leadership for the development of Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh is marching forward under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. We have come to express our support for and solidarity with her leadership,” her former principal secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury said.

He listed the achievements of Bangladesh during the two consecutive tenures of Hasina.

He also recalled events that took place during the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami government. “We don’t want to return to the age of darkness,” he said.

Kamal also hoped the people would continue supporting Hasina and the Awami League’s boat logo in the election. 

The former officials and diplomats greeted Hasina with flowers and took photos with her. Hasina’s Political Adviser HT Imam was also present.

Over 150 former officers of the army, air force and navy met Hasina on Nov 27 and pledged to work for the Awami League during the polls.