Hasina seeks another term

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged the people to elect the Awami League for another term in the next parliamentary elections to free the country of terrorism, militancy and corruption.

Addressing a public rally at Khulna Circuit House ground in the afternoon, Hasina said public welfare was ensured and the country became self-sufficient in food whenever her party was in power.

“So, the ruling party should be voted to power again if you want welfare of the country,” she told the gathering.

The Prime Minister reached the Khukna Circuit House ground around 3pm and inaugurated some development projects and laid the foundation stones of some others.

In her 35-minute speech, Hasina listed the success of her government and pledged to complete the unfinished tasks.

She said Khulna Shipyard has been a profitable undertaking after it was handed over to Bangladesh Navy during the 1996-2001 Awami League-led government.

“Employment has been created for over 7.8 million people both in the public and private sectors. However, during the previous BNP-Jamaat government the people were provided with 'khamba' (electric poles) instead of power.”

Hasina said her government had significantly cut down the shortfall in power generation.

“Since the Awami League formed government, the country has won the legal battle against Myanmar over maritime boundary dispute. We’re also hopeful that we would win the legal battle (on maritime boundary dispute) against India in 2014.”

About the trial of the suspected war criminals, she said: “We’ve fulfilled our electoral pledge through initiating the war crimes trial and death penalty for Bachchu Razakar.”

She was critical of the tenure of the last BNP-led government. “The greater Khulna region had turned into a haven for terrorism. Journalists Humarun Kabir Balu, Manik Chandra Saha, Harun-or-Rashid and many political leaders and activists were killed during their regime. BNP means re-emergence of terrorism and militancy.”

Hasina told the inhabitants of Khulna: “The operation of Daulatpur Jute Mills has recommenced while Khulna WASA has been provided with Tk 20 million to supply drinking water. Now Khulna Agriculture University and an IT Village will be set up here.”

Mayor of Khulna City Corporation and President of Khulna City Awami League Talukder Abdul Khaleque presided over the meeting organised by Khulna metropolitan and district units of the Awami League.

Jute and Textiles Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Communications Minister Obaidul Qader, Health Minister AFM Ruhal Haque and Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-Ul Alam Hanif also addressed the meeting, among others.

Earlier from the Circuit House ground, the Prime Minister reopened the activities of Daulatpur Jute Mills, inaugurated the new academic complex of Khulna Science and Technology University and 600-seat Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall of the university.

She also unveiled the plaques of student welfare centre of the university, Shaheed Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, laid the foundation stone of a female hostel of Khulna University, inaugurated the sculpture of the Liberation War, ‘Adamya Bangla’, at Khulna University, divisional women sports complex hostel, laid the foundation stone of Khulna WASA Bhaban, inaugurated the newly built Shaheed Jahanara Imam Women Hostel of Khulna Medical College and laid foundation stone of new building of Khulna Shishu Hospital.

Hundreds of leaders and activists of the Awami League thronged the Circuit House ground. The crowd spilled onto Haji Mohsin Road, Ahsan Ahmed Road, Court Road, Lower Jessore Road and into Jailkhana terminal.