Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has termed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the most popular politician Bangladesh saw in the last 44 years.
He made the statement while delivering a speech on the first day of Awami League's 21st National Council session at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Friday.
Sheikh Hasina, also Awami League president, inaugurated the two-day council in the afternoon.
Obaidul, also road transport and bridges minister, said: "A chaotic situation was prevailing in the country after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina worked relentlessly to upgrade Bangladesh's status.
"That is why, in the last 44 years, Sheikh Hasina's name become the name of bravest politician, skilled administrator, most successful diplomat, and most popular leader in the country."
The Awami League general secretary said Sheikh Hasina built the country facing many pronged challenges.
"She also unified the party which was beset with internal conflicts and restored democracy in the country by waging movement," he added.
The 21st National Council of the Bangladesh Awami League, one of the oldest and largest political parties in the country, began on Friday afternoon to elect its central leadership.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the longest-serving president in the history of the party, addressed the gathering at the end of the program.
Around 7,500 councillors, 15,000 delegates, and 5,000 special guests joined the opening ceremony, according to party insiders. Several thousands of party followers and activists from all over the country congregated near the venue of the triennial mega event.