PM urges party men to forge strong unity for next poll victory

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PARIS, Dec 13, 2017 (BSS)- Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has urged the party leaders and workers to forge a strong unity at all levels of the organization to ensure party’s victory in the next general elections.

“We’ll win in the next elections as people are in our favour … they’re ready to give us vote. So, we’ve to remain careful so that none can hatch any conspiracy over the polls,” she said.

The prime minister was addressing a reception accorded to her by France chapter of Awami League at the ballroom of Hotel Intercontinental Paris Le Grand here last night.

The Bangladesh premier arrived in Paris on Monday to attend the One Planet Summit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Calling upon the party leaders and workers to make the party stronger, the Awami League president said unity at all levels of the party should be established through sacrifice.

She said division among leaders may create a scope for conspirators which is not possible if the leaders and workers remain united.

“We will be re-elected Insh Allah and the pace of development of Bangladesh would continue,” she added.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Bangladesh Ambassador to France Kazi Imtiaz Hossain were present, while AL League leaders from different European countries joined the reception.

The prime minister urged everybody to remain alert so that evil force which pushed Bangladesh backward after 1975 and rehabilitated the anti- liberation forces can never come to power.

“Everybody has to raise their voice against the evil forces responsible for resorting to a reign of terror, killing and corruption and make people aware as their return to power would be a setback for the entire nation,”‘she said calling upon the expatriates to make their relatives in the country aware in this regard.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh was liberated 46 years ago, but the country was ruled by the anti-liberation forces for 30 years. “The people of Bangladesh get the real taste of development when Awami League assumed power in 1996,” she said.

The premier said BNP claims to be a champion for reintroducing democracy in Bangladesh. “But, in fact they rehabilitated the anti-liberation forces and introduced ‘curfew democracy’ in the country,”‘she said.

She said the BNP has distorted the country’s history depriving the new generation of knowing the real history of the nation. “They banned playing of Bangabandhu’s historic March 7 speech,”‘she said.

But, she said, the UNESCO has recognised his speech, enlisting it as one of world’s documentary heritages which brightened the image of Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh would have been a developed country within 10 years of independence had Bangabandhu been alive.

 

Recalling the role of expatriate Bangladeshis during all crucial times, the prime minister said the first meeting demanding the trial of the killers of Bangabandhu was held in Sweden where Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana was present.

“Expatriate nationals always played an important role in liberating Bangladesh, establishing democracy and keeping the country’s economy wheel vibrant, she said.

Sheikh Hasina particularly remembered the role of expatriates for their support to her during past military-led caretaker government saying their support always give her strength and courage.

The prime minister said the post-1975 rulers had introduced Bangladesh abroad as a nation of beggars. Now, the global community know Bangladesh as a dignified nation, she said, asserting that now none can stop its progress.

Pointing out that the government is following the foreign policy of Bangabandhu — “friendship to all, malice to none” –, she said it helps attract investment, employment generation and alleviate poverty.

Highlighting the country’s development in various fields, Sheikh Hasina said her government has been making constant efforts to build a poverty-free Bangladesh.

“But, the country would get rid of poverty when everybody would have an access to food, education, healthcare and housing,” she said.

The prime minister said the Bangladesh’s ties with France in every area was strengthened during her government’s tenure. “The Banganbandhu Satellite which is being built by a French company would be lunched in March 2018,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has attached importance to equal development of every area of the country aimed at strengthening rural economy. “Consumption of power has been increased which indicates economic vibrancy,” she said, adding every house will be lit up by 2021.

The prime minister said the people enjoy benefit when Awami League comes to power, while BNP comes to power to make their own fortune. “Vote-rigging, money laundering, corruption, nepotism, terrorism and militancy were the daily affairs of Bangladesh when the BNP was in power,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government is striving to finish the remaining development works within the current tenure of her government. In the interest of country’s progress and development, she said, Awami League should win in the next elections.