Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked voters to let the government make Bangladesh a developed nation by 2041 by voting her to power again.
Addressing a mammoth rally at Shamsul Huda Stadium in Jessore, from where she began the party's election campaign, the premier sought votes for the party's “boat” symbol, and promised that there would be no poverty.
“I want a promise from you that you will again vote for boat in the next election and give us a chance to serve you once again. Raise your hands and say it,” asked Sheikh Hasina, who has been in power for three consecutive terms since 2009, and the crowd raised their hands enthusiastically.
“By 2041, Bangladesh will be established as a developed country. No one in this country will suffer from hunger…no one will be homeless. We are planning and implementing plans to ensure a developed and better life for all. That's why I want all of your support,” she added.
A colorful cultural performance was put on after the arrival of Sheikh Hasina at the venue, which had a boat-shaped stage. The program started with recitations from the holy books.
Awaiting the arrival of the premier, Jessore turned into a festive town, with people of all strata as well as leaders and activists of AL demonstrating their enthusiasm.
Leaders of the Jessore district Awami League aimed at having one million people at the public meeting. AL leaders and activists from 10 districts of Khulna division, including all upazilas of Jessore and adjacent districts, participated in the rally.
This is the first public rally of the prime minister in almost three years. The AL chief will address another rally at the Polo Ground in Chittagong on December 4 and at the Sheikh Kamal Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar on December 7, when she is expected to deliver campaign messages and directives.
In Jessore, Sheikh Hasina also warned the people about the activities of the BNP, saying: “You know that spreading rumours is the work of the BNP. When they were in power, they only looted [money]. They did not do anything for the country.
“In 1996, when I formed the government after the BNP, they left only $2.5 million in foreign exchange reserves. In 2009, when we came to power following the period of the caretaker government, the reserves were only $5 billion. During the time of Covid-19, exports and imports were suspended but still we increased the reserves to $48 billion.”
She said that the government had invested $8 billion from the reserves for the betterment of the people in various domestic sectors.
The premier added that when the “country's per capita income was $353 during the BNP tenure, but now it is $2,824”.
She also talked about the country's banking sector and said: “Some people are talking about the reserves, but I can say there is no problem. Some people said there is no cash in the banks, and they are withdrawing their money. If they collect cash from the bank, it could be robbed or stolen from their houses.
“But the allegation is false that banks are facing a cash crisis. Yesterday, I had a meeting with the governor of Bangladesh Bank and others. Our foreign remittances are coming, export and import are increasing, and tax collection has increased. When other countries of the world are facing challenges, Bangladesh's economy is still strong.”
Love for Jessore
Sheikh Hasina also thanked the people of Jessore for their support in the previous elections. She said: “I want to give you my cordial thanks. During the time of Covid-19, I did not hold a public rally. Today is my first public rally in Jessore where my grandfather was buried. This district had a huge contribution to our Liberation War. This Jessore is also famous for date molasses and flowers.”
She mentioned the development projects and initiatives her government had implemented since 2009.
“We want peace…we want development. We want that the youth will lead the country, so they have to restrain themselves from drugs and militancy,” the premier said.
Sheikh Hasina came to the stage around 2:40pm, but hundreds of thousands of supporters and activists filled the venue wearing colourful t-shirts and caps from the morning.
District unit AL President Sahidul Islam Milon presided over the program where senior leaders of the central committee and lawmakers, including Obaidul Quader, Sheikh Helaluddin Ahmed, Dr M Abdur Razzaque, Piyush Kanti Bhattachariya, Sheikh Jewel, Zahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman, Mahbubul Alam Hanif, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Sheikh Sarhan Naser Tonmoy, BM Mozammel, SM Kamal, and local MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed, among others, spoke at the public rally.
Obaidul Quader electrified the Jessore crowd with his now well-known dialogue “khela hobe” (game is on) while delivering his speech. The crowd in the stadium roared back in applause and chanted party slogans.
Quader said: “We will play against the BNP-Jamaat. We will play against all the betrayers.”
Jessore-3 lawmaker Kazi Nabil thanked the prime minister for carrying out different mega projects in the district in the last ten years, including the establishment of Jessore University of Science and Technology, Jessore Medical College and Sheikh Hasina Software Technology Park.
