Carry nation forward towards peace, democracy and prosperity: Hasina

"Let us all move forward to the path of peace, development,democracy and prosperity by forgetting all differences to build Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The victory of the people and Bangladesh in this struggle for building the nation anew is inevitable," she said.

Sheikh Hasina made the call in her address to the nation through Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar ahead of the 10th Jatiya Sangsad polls scheduled for January 5.

In her 32-minute speech, Sheikh Hasina sought unequivocal support of the countrymen as they did in the past.

"Boat is the symbol of Haque-Bhashani-Suhrawardhy and it is also the symbol of independence and freedom. We want your votes in favour of the symbol of Boat," she said.

Giving a brief description about the tremendous development done by her government over the last five years, Sheikh Hasina said if Awami League is again voted to power, this party would be able to turn Bangladesh as a middle income country by 2021 and a developed country by 2041.

"If we could form the government again through your mandate,we will be able to build Bangladesh as a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed country by 2041 Insha Allah," she said.

The Awami League chief urged all sections of the people to cast their votes in a festive mood on January 5 and put democracy on a solid footing by electing the representatives of their choice.

"I hope you would cast your votes in a festive mood on January 5 the way you have done the same in a fearless environment in the 5,803 local government elections and by-polls over the last five years," she said.

The Prime Minister expressed her firm confidence that this election would bring an end to the vengeance, clash and conflict forever and Bangladesh would come out of the corruption and criminalization to help a tolerant democratic system emerge in the country.

On the occasion, she congratulated the countrymen, especially the tolerant and brave youths, who are full of life and vigor. "All my good wishes are for the youths who are going to cast votes for the first time in this year's polls," she said.

Referring to the 2008 pre-poll pledges of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina said the present government proved its honesty and trustworthiness in full in implementing all its commitments given to the nation at that time.

She said the successes achieved over the last five years were possible by dint of the overwhelming support and cooperation of the people, who had lent their tireless labour and sweat side by side with spontaneous participation of the young generation in building the nation anew.

"You have proved that nothing great could be achieved without dedication and sacrifice. We can say with full confidence that Bangladesh is now moving forward to a shining and prosperous
future by putting aside darkness of the past. We are the passengers of an enlightened path," she said.

Terming the people's empowerment as the prerequisite for democracy, Sheikh Hasina said an opportunity has now been created for formation of a government by own choice

"These rights were snatched after the brutal killing of Bangabandhu and most of his family members on August 15 in 1975, making the whole election system questionable at different times over the last 38 years through rigging as well as use of black money and muscle power," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the Jatiya Sangsad has introduced a permanent election system like that in other democratic countries of the world to put an end forever to the unhealthy trend of grabbing power unconstitutionally and playing ducks and drakes with the rights of the people.

She said election would be held under an independent and strong Election Commission, not under any unelected persons.

Mentioning her government's sincere efforts to bring BNP to the polls, the Awami League chief said, "You have seen, we have made our all-out efforts to bring BNP to the elections."

Since 2010, Sheikh Hasina said, I have been urging the BNP chief time and again to come to the path of peaceful agreement through talks. "I was ready to offer any ministry, including home, during the all-party poll-time government," she said.

The Prime Minister said she had phoned the Leader of the Oppositions with an invitation for a dialogue. "Instead of accepting my invitation, she has turned down my proposal, opted for the path of conflict and issued ultimatums to me time and again," she said.

According to Begum Zia's proposal, Sheikh Hasina said, the AL general secretary held a series of meetings with the acting secretary general of BNP. "We hoped that the main opposition would take part in the polls keeping confidence on the people. Despite our sincere efforts, BNP did not take part in the polls,"
she said.

Moreover, The AL chief said, BNP and its other accomplices have started unleashing terrorism and sabotages keeping the people hostage in the name of hartal and blockade. "They have torched Baitul Mukarram Mosque and burnt the holy Quran side by side with killing general people by throwing crude and petrol bombs," she said.

Many police and BGB personnel also fell victims to their killing missions, Sheikh Hasina said adding that the BNP-Jamaat clique launched attacks on the houses of Awami League leaders, activists and the minority communities and looted their valuables. These forces have also tried to deprive the people of their voting rights by cutting roads and highways, felling trees on the roads.

"As an elected government, we have taken oath to uphold democracy. So, the next election would be held on January 5 in line with the constitution," she said as the main objectives of Awami League are to ensure socio-economic emancipation of the people and build a developed and prosperous Sonar Bangla free from poverty, hunger and illiteracy.

"Keeping our goals ahead of all, we had announced the Vision-2021 before the last general election. In continuation with that we have announced our election manifesto this time. We want to carry forward our country to the cherished goal by formulating a long-term development strategy and implementing those in full," she said.

Referring to her party's strong commitment to turn Bangladesh into a middle- income country by 2021, the Prime Minister said the per capita average income of people would reach at 1,500 US dollars from the existing 1044 US Dollars.

She said the growth rate would also rise from the current 6.2 percent to 10 percent by 2021, when the poverty rate would come down to 13 percent from the existing 26 percent.

As the Prime Minister spelled out in her speech, the year 2014 will be dedicated to giving priority on establishing good governance, putting democracy on a firm footing and decentralizing power.

"We want to establish peace and tranquility both at state and roots levels by driving out militancy, terrorism and communalism from the society and also ensuring safety and security in civic life and their basic rights," she said.

The Prime Minister said the trial of war criminals started as per our election pledge. "Trials of 10 war criminals have been completed and the verdicts are also being executed by the grace of the Almighty Allah," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has conquered the sea through a historic verdict in the international maritime court. At home, she said, we have carried out extensive development in the fields of communication and infrastructure by constructing bridges, culverts, roads and highways.

The AL chief said her government has been able to establish the country on a strong footing politically, socially and economically with the cooperation, support and blessings of all."For this, I express my gratitude to my countrymen."

Highlighting her government's steps for the development of the armed forces, Sheikh Hasina said "The Forces Goal 2030" which the Awami League government formulated and implemented in line with the Defence Policy farmed by Bangabandhu to enhance capability of armed forces, will continue.

She said the foreign policy of Awami League is based on Bangabandhu's principles of "friendship to all and malice to none". Honouring the sovereignty of other countries and principle of non-interference in others' internal affairs is part of that policy.

No militant, terrorist and separatist elements will be given indulgence on the soil of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said in a clear term adding,"The mutual cooperation among the South Asian
nations will continue alongside the international teamwork to face terrorism, militancy and separatism."

Sheikh Hasina also said that no law contradictory to the Quran and Sunnah would be enacted. "A modern mosque with all facilities for the devotees will be built in every district and upazila side by side with developing other religious institutions," she said.

The Prime Minister said her government would create social awareness to ensure peaceful coexistence of the followers of all religions and side by side with religious harmony by uprooting terrorism, communalism and militancy," she said.

She said the spirit and glory of the great War of Liberation would be upheld at all levels of the state and society. "The programmes and projects undertaken to preserve the memories of the Liberation War will be completed," she said.

In her speech, Shekh Hasina also outlined Awami League's steps to be taken for further development of agriculture, health, education, infrastructure and IT sectors, if voted to power again.