Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said Bangladesh is moving forward and it would continue to be the fastest growing economy with its ongoing development works. “Nobody will be able to play ducks and drakes with the fate of the country’s people. It will not be tolerated,” she said while inaugurating her party’s two-day 21st National Council at the Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.
She inaugurated the council through releasing the symbol of peace pigeon at 3pm at the historic venue, the site of Bangabandhu’s landmark 7th March address and surrender of Pakistani troops in 1971. Sheikh Hasina said since inception of the party, the Awami League has been struggling to establish the rights of the people of the country.
“Only Awami League gave something to the country’s people. When Awami League comes to power, the fate of the country’s people starts changing,” she said. Sheikh Hasina, also the eldest daughter of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, said none could destroy the Awami League because of its ideology and policy.
“Many plots were hatched to destroy this political party. Several attacks were launched on the party time and again. But none could destroy the Father of the Nation’s organisation,” she said. The Prime Minister said the conspirators on several occasions harassed and humiliated the Father of Nation in many ways.
“False cases were filed against Bangabandhu. And he was also awarded death penalty. Braving all sorts of odds, conspiracies, harassment, torture and humiliation, the fearless leader moved forward with honesty. As a result, the Bangali nation got an independent Bangladesh,” she added. Sheikh Hasina said the Awami League is working hard to build a prosperous Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“Currently, Awami League is building a prosperous Sonar Bangla free from hunger, poverty and discrimination,” she said, adding Awami League is the only political party which is working for the country’s economic emancipation. “Bangabandhu worked throughout his life to change the fate of the helpless people of the country. Imbued with the spirit of War of Liberation and ideology of Bangabandhu, the party is still working hard to bring smile on the faces of the country’s people,” she mentioned.
The Awami League President said those who can sacrifice their lives for the betterment of the country’s people, they will be successful. “And Awami League did this job with dedication and sincerity. As a result, people got everything from the party,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has turned around in the last one decade.
“We are in power since 2009. We’ve brought down the poverty rate to 20.5 percent. Besides, our people’s GDP growth rate has also increased significantly,” she added She asked her party leaders and workers to work for fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people by keeping up their confidence and trust to take root in the party.
“Bangladesh Awami League has been able to earn confidence and trust of the people as they (people) know their lot changes when the party comes to power,” she said. “The grassroots leaders and workers will have to work with sincerity. Then, we would be able to reach our desired goal and build ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Bangabandhu,” she said.
The AL president simultaneously directed the party leaders and workers to play a more responsible role towards the country and nation. “Our goal is to change the fate of the grassroots people and free them from poverty and we’re working to achieve the goal. We have to go far and materialise the dream of the Father of the Nation,” she added.
In this connection, she said her government is eyeing to generate one crore employment opportunities and boost export earnings through the establishment of 100 economic zones countrywide by 2030. The AL president said Bangladesh Awami League was formed by the Father of the Nation. “So the party will have to be strengthened at the grassroots,” she said
The theme of the council is 'On the way to implementing Bangabandhu’s dream of Sonar Bangla under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership’. The main council session will be held today (Saturday) at the Institute of Engineers drawing over 7,000 councilors from across the country, a day after its opening at the Suhrawardy Udyan.
