DHAKA, Dec 18, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today pledged to fulfil the new voters’ expectations with Bangladesh and advance the country further by flourishing their talent.
“We want to materialise the dream and expectations of the new generation and new voters with Bangladesh … we also want to take the country ahead further by flourishing their talent and thought,” she said
The prime minister was addressing public rallies in Bandarban and Kishoreganj through videoconferencing from her Sudha Sadan residence at Dhanmondi in the capital this afternoon.
Describing the new generation as very intelligent, the Awami League president said: “It’s our commitment to build a beautiful future for them.”
“I’m very much optimistic about the new generation … they are very intelligent and they must take the country far long ,” she added.
Referring to her recent “Let’s Talk Programme” with the youths, Sheikh Hasina said: “They made several questions to me, like that I’ve also made questions to them.”
“I’ve asked them that what type of Bangladesh they want to see and how they want to develop the country and if anyone of them becomes the prime minister, what will be his/her first task,” she said.
The prime minister said the Awami League in its election manifesto has given utmost importance to the youth as they are the country’s strength and they will bring prosperity for Bangladesh.
Seeking vote from the countrymen for the Awami League in the upcoming national election, Sheikh Hasina said there is a relation between the boat, the election symbol of the party, and nature of Bangladesh.
“We’ve got scope to speak in our mother tongue and earned independence by casting vote for boat,” she said.
The prime minister said the country’s expected development was not made as the Awami League was not allowed to come to power for 21 years after the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975.
“But the country started its journey towards massive development when we assumed office in 1996 after 21 years,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said it is clearly seen that true development takes place in the country when the people vote for boat and Awami League forms the government. “The touch of development reaches the common people when the Awami League is elected,” she said.
While addressing the rally in Bandarban, the Awami League president
mentioned that the landmark Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord was signed
during the Awami League government’s regime in 1996.
“Suicidal conflict was started in the hill tracts region after the
assassination of Bangabandhu. But, we’ve solved the problem politically,” she
said, adding the conflict in the region has almost stopped following the
signing of the agreement.
Sheikh Hasina said: “We don’t want any conflict, we want peace, and
development is not possible if peace doesn’t exist”.
She said the CHT region is filled with natural beauty and resources. “But
the people of the region once used to lead an inhuman life as there was no
scope of education and healthcare for them,” she said.
After assuming office, the prime minister said, her government after
signing the peace treaty has been working restlessly for the development of
the CHT region.
“We’ve set up a university in the region and constructed the much-awaited
Ruma-Thanchi Bridge, and the CHT Complex in Dhaka, while steps have been
taken to establish residential schools in the region,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the government is developing the CHT region as a
tourist hub and it has been possible as a peaceful environment exists there.
“Bandarban will be a role model of development and tourism if we are
reelected,” she said.
The Awami League president said once the people of the region were
deprived of mobile phone facilities. “But, after coming to power, we brought
the region under the mobile network.”
She said electricity problem of the region is being solved through solar
power. “The areas where electricity is yet to be reached will be illuminated
in the future.”
Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu had liberated the country to establish a
hunger- and poverty-free Sonar Bangla and bring smiles on the faces of common
people.
“Now our aim is to reach the fruits of independence to every house and
improve the living standard of the people,” she said.
Highlighting her government’s tremendous successes in different fields,
the prime minister said there is no food crisis in the country as the food
security of the people has been ensured.
“We’re giving various allowances like elderly allowance, widow allowance
to the people, and it has been possible as we are in power for 10 years at a
stretch,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the Awami League has given an outline on overall
development what work it will do for the next five years through her party’s
election manifesto unveiled today.
“We want to improve the living standard of everybody and there will not
be a single person to remain homeless,” she said.
While addressing the rally in Kishoreganj, Sheikh Hasina said 10 upazilas
of the district have been brought under full electricity coverage and the
power connection will be given in entire areas of the remaining three
upazilas soon.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken various steps for the
development of haor and baor of the district so that its people can address
the problems including natural disasters they face every year.
The Awami League president urged the leaders and workers of Awami League
in Kishoreganj to work together for the victory of former party general
secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, who is now undergoing treatment abroad, and
pray for his recovery.
Awami League and Mohajote candidates as well as local leaders also spoke
at the rallies.