PM: Gazipur polls show path to victory in national election

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has said the Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) election has demonstrated the path to victory for the party in the upcoming national polls.

She also urged Awami League leaders and grassroots activists to work towards increasing the popularity of the party among people in rural areas, as “Awami League is the only party in the country which can change the lot of the people.”

The prime minister made the comments while addressing the second phase of a special extended meeting of Awami League held at her official Ganabhaban residence on Saturday. The first phase was held on June 23, while the next phase will be held on July 7.

Sheikh Hasina greeted the mayor and councillor-elects and congratulated the people of Gazipur for electing the Awami League candidates in the election.

The prime minister said the Gazipur election manifested that every win is possible if the party leaders remain united.

None can prevent Awami League when the party is determined to achieve something, she said.

“Our politics always revolves around the dream to free the rural people from poverty and provide them with a prosperous life,” the Awami League president said.

Sheikh Hasina asked those who aspired to participate in the next general election to shun their conflicts with one another and work together in order to ensure an Awami League victory, regardless of who gets the party ticket in their constituency.

The prime minister also highlighted the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh under the present government, saying Awami League should come to power again to keep up the pace of development.

She thanked the party leaders for their role in mobilizing public support against militancy and terrorism, and hoped that they would also provide similar support to curb the menace of drugs in society.

In addition, Sheikh Hasina heavily criticized the BNP, particularly for their staging of violent movements in 2004. 

“How could a political party unleash such violence and burn people alive in the name of political movement?” she asked.

“Ziaur Rahman had grabbed state power illegally as a military dictator and formed BNP. A political party formed by an illegal military dictator is also illegal,” she added.

Prior to the meeting, Mayor-elect of Gazipur Jahangir Alam and commissioners of the city corporation presented Sheikh Hasina with a bouquet of flowers. 

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader delivered the welcome address, while Publicity Secretary of the party Dr Hasan Mahmud and Deputy Publicity Secretary Aminul Islam conducted the meeting.