Vote for ‘boat’ in next polls

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday reiterated her call to the people to vote for "boat" in the next general election for their continued wellbeing and further development of the country.

"If only the [party contesting the polls with] 'boat' symbol forms the government the next time as well, you will see improvement and the country will witness development," she told a rally.

The meeting was organised by Mithamoin upazila Awami League at the Mithamoin Helipad Ground.

Hasina, also the AL president, said whenever the BNP or the BNP-Jamaat alliance came to power, sufferings of the people aggravate. On the other hand, when the AL comes to power, the country witnesses an increase in the production of crops, fish, and vegetables, she added.

"The people are happy getting food and clothes. The fate of the people has changed."

She said Bangladesh has turned around, and it earned dignity in the world arena. "Bangladesh is a role model for development. Bangladesh is marching forward and will continue to do so."

Noting that the government is now implementing different programmes for the overall development of the haor region, Hasina said if the AL returns to office, the programmes will continue.

"So, I would like to urge you to give us the opportunity to serve you by making Awami League victorious through casting votes for 'boat' also in the next election, which will be held in December 2023 or January 2024. It is my appeal to you," she said.

The AL chief said assuming office in 1996 after 21 years, her party made the country self-sufficient in food. But then the BNP-Jamaat alliance came to power again and unleashed plundering, money laundering, corruption, militancy, terrorism and killing, she added.

The premier said they mercilessly tortured AL leaders and activists.

Noting that the BNP was founded in the hands of those who grabbed power illegally violating the constitution, Hasina said the BNP leaders don't think of the wellbeing of the people and Bangladesh, rather they come to power for looting national wealth.

Talking about the development of the haor region, the premier said the otherwise neglected region witnessed a remarkable change in the last 14 years.

Recalling her previous visit to Mithamoin, she said that there was only water everywhere and no road was fit even for rickshaws at that time. "Today those days are gone."

Hasina said her government has been implementing different programmes to change the fate of the neglected communities in the haor area of Kishoreganj.

She said from now on all roads to be built in haor areas would be elevated to protect arable land and existing roads. The government is dredging rivers and canals in the haor region to channel water with a view to protect crops from flash flood, she added.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Organising Secretary Mirza Azam and Office Secretary Biplab Barua, and local lawmaker Rejwan Ahammad Taufiq spoke at the rally, among others.