DHAKA, June 23, 2023 (BSS) - Leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League (AL) and its associate bodies today paid rich tributes to the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi here today marking the 74th founding anniversary of the party.

Born as Awami Muslim League on June 23 in 1949 at Rose Garden in city's old part, the party was later turned into Awami League as a secular and progressive one. 

Earlier, party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tribute to the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi road no-32 here marking the day.

After placing floral wreath at the portrait of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence for a while as mark of respect to the Father of the Nation.

Later, flanked by senior party leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also President of the Awami League, paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing another wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation on behalf of her party.

AL's general secretary Obaidul Quader, Deputy leader of the parliament and presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Shahjahan Khan, Dr M Abdur Razzaque, Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman and Dr Mostafa Jalal Mahiuddin, Joint general secretaries and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing secretaries Ahmad Hossain, Afzal Hossain and Sujit Roy Nandi, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Engineer Abdus Saboor and Publicity and Publication secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, among others, were present during the time. 
 
Marking the AL's founding anniversary, party Chief Sheikh Hasina along with AL general secretary Obaidul Quader hoisted the national and party flags and inaugurated the programmes of the day through flying pigeon and balloons.

The ruling party leaders and activists made a huge gathering at Dhanmondi road no-32 and its adjacent areas since morning and they were seen to chant different slogans like 'Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu' including "suvo Suvo Suvo Din Awami Leaguer Janmodin".

Besides the Awami League, different associate bodies including Dhaka north and South City units of Awami League, Awami Jubo League, Awami Swechasebok League, Bangladesh Chattra League, Jatiya Sramik League, Tanti League, Krishak League, Mahila Awami League and Jubo Mahila League and its front organizations also paid respect to the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.