BSS-43 People will elect AL again: hopes PM

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ZCZC

BSS-43

PM-AL-POLL-MEETING

People will elect AL again: hopes PM

DHAKA, Sept 15, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed
her optimism that people of Bangladesh would once again elect Awami League in
the forthcoming polls to keep up the ongoing development spree across the
country.

“Awami League enjoys massive popularity as the people still believe that
the country would go ahead with Awami League remaining in power. Surveys of a
number of international organizations have also predicted it,” she said.

The prime minister was speaking at the first meeting of the National
Election Conducting Committee of Bangladesh Awami League at her Gonobhaban
residence here this evening.

Terming honesty as one the main strengths of Awami League, the prime
minister said “a vested quarter is hatching conspiracy and seeking
intervention of undemocratic forces to dislodge Awami League from power.”

“But no one can yield any benefit from such hope as no one from ‘Uttar
Para’ will come to install them to power,” Sheikh Hasina, also Awami League
president and chairperson of the election conducting committee, said.

Welcoming the initiative of some political parties of forging the anti-
Awami League platform, the prime minister said the government would allow
them to hold meetings anywhere in the city.

“The government is not gagging freedom of speech. So, if necessary a
permanent ‘moncha’ would be erected at Suharawardi Uddyan to allow speaking
everyday against the government,” she said.

“But action would be taken against those who would spread falsehood and
try to push the country toward anarchy,” she warned.

Co-chairman of the committee HT Imam, member-secretary and Awami League
general secretary Obaidul Quader, presidium members, central committee
leaders and representatives of different associated bodies of the party were
present.

Sheikh Hasina said the people of Bangladesh re-elected Awami League to
power in 2014 overcoming all barriers created by BNP and anti-liberation
forces.

“Country’s development is visible now as Awami League came to power in
2014. People understood that the country can prosper when Awami League
remains in power,” she said adding that today the people are living in peace
with sound economic standing.

She said Awami League was defeated in 2001 through conspiracy and despite
their win BNP and anti-liberation force Jamaat-e-Islami unleased a reign of
terror in the 1971 fashion.

“They made the country champions in corruption for five consecutive terms
and turn the country into an abode of murder, terrorism, militancy and
corruption,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said some civil society members are shedding tears for those
who are responsible for making the country a land of grenade and bomb
attacks.

They are blind and their doors of openness are closed,” she said adding
they don’t see any progress of the country during the tenure of the Awami
League government.

“We don’t want Bangladesh to go back to the past situation again,” the
prime minister said urging the party leaders and workers to work with
devotion to woo the people to cast their votes for Awami League in the coming
general election.

Criticizing BNP for appointing lobbyist in the USA to conduct campaign
against the government, the prime minister said they are actually engaged in
damaging the country’s image.

Sheikh Hasina castigated BNP for spreading false information on inviting
the BNP delegation by UN Secretary General, saying he (secretary general) was
in Ghana at that time to attend the funeral of Kofi Annan.

“So what is the benefit of BNP in lying to misguide the people,” she
questioned.

BSS/AKH/KU/2228 HRS