Seeking vote is my political right: HPM Sheikh Hasina

Stating that seeking vote for 'boat', the election symbol of Bangladesh Awami League, is her political rights, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said wherever she will go as the president of her party she will seek vote. 

"Seeking vote for boat is my rights as I'm the president of our party. So wherever I will go I will seek vote for my party ... it's my political rights," she said in her introductory speech at a meeting of AL Central Working Committee at Ganabhaban here this evening. 

The premier's comments came as the BNP is criticising her for seeking vote before the announcement of election schedule by the Election Commission. 

Sheikh Hasina said that all the party leaders and workers have to go to the people of the country for votes. "We have to convince the people that only casting votes for boat will bring development in their lives," she said. 

In this connection, the premier mentioned that after giving votes for boat the people of the country got (Bangla) state language and independence as well as development. 

"We have to tell it to the people and seek votes for boat .... we want to get a chance to further develop the country," she said. 

Sheikh Hasina said that it is the responsibility and duty of Awami League to develop the county. "Confidence and trust of the people are our main fuel to move and do work for the country and its people," she said.

The prime minister also asked leaders of her party to project success stories and achievements of the present government before the countrymen keeping in mind the next general election will be held at the end of this year. 

Sheikh Hasina said that the Awami League that had led all the struggles and movements of establishing rights of the people has been working for changing their fate and ensuring their improved living standard. 

Reiterating her vow to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous country, the premier said, "We could do much work and can open the door for earning money... but nobody did attention in this regard." 

Sheikh Hasina also said, "We could also establish Bangladesh as a bridge between the East and the West. We could bring economic prosperity for the country through it." 

She said regretting that nobody looked after in this way and took it into consideration. Those who came to power after 1975 led a luxurious life, amassed wealth and killed people, she said. 

The prime minister said the BNP-Jamaat can only know to burn people to death and set fire to houses, buses and trucks.

"Inflicting torture on the people is their only work. Money laundering and unleashing corruption, militancy and terrorism are their character ... they cannot make any welfare and wellbeing of the people," she said. 

Highlighting her government's achievements and successes in various fields, the prime minister said that the BNP leaders who were indulged in massive corruption, money laundering and terrorism could not see any development of the country. 

She said her government after coming to power undertook long-term steps like five-year plan and ten-year perspective plan to develop the country in a planned way. 

As a result, she said, it has successfully implemented MDGs and marching ahead on the path of execution of the SDGs. 

Such measures made it possible for Bangladesh to be recognised as a developing country, the PM said, adding that the nation advanced another step ahead following the international recognition. 

In this regard, she called upon all including AL leaders and workers to work together to maintain continuation of the development spree. 

Sheikh Hasina said huge enthusiasm and confidence have now been developed among the people across the country for which they are celebrating various occasions like Pohelia Boishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year. 

Referring to placing a huge budget of over Taka 4 lakh crore in the current fiscal, she said 90 percent of the annual development programmes are being implemented with county's own fund and Bangladesh now does not need to depend on others.

Sheikh Hasina said the country may need cooperation of the development partners, but as a victorious nation, it would not move bowing down heads to any one and it is the policy of her government. 

Coming down heavily on killing, vandalism and torching of BNP-Jamaat nexus to foil the election in 2014, the prime minister said the people resisted the ill efforts of the evil forces and development is going on due to continuation of the government. 

She expressed sorrow that illegal power grabbers after 15th August 1975, brought anti-liberation forces, war criminals and killers of Bangabandhu to the state power and rewarded them in many ways. 

As a result, she said, the development and progress of the country remained halted for a long time. 

On the other hand, whenever Awami League came to power, Bangladesh witnessed massive development and advancement, she said. 

Pointing to giving shelter to huge number of Myanmar citizens to Bangladesh, the prime minister said her government sheltered them on humanitarian grounds and all the countries and international organisations highly appreciated it. 

"We are providing all kinds of assistance including food and medicare to them. On the other hand, we're also take care of the local people so that they don't face any problem," she said. 

The prime minister said it's the responsibility her government to serve the people. "We're rendering that services to the countrymen," she said. 

Referring to the norwesters that lashed over different parts of the country yesterday and today, the prime minister said she directed all concerned and deputy commissioners of the affected districts to provide assistance to the affected people.