Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed Awami League grassroots leaders and activists to resolve their internal conflicts as the next general elections will be very tough for the party.
"Still, there are conflicts in our party in some places... these conflicts will have to be resolved. You will have to keep in mind that the next elections will be very tough" she said, while addressing a party meeting at her official Ganabhaban residence on Saturday.
The Awami League arranged the special extended meeting (Phase-III) with the participation of union-level Awami League presidents and general secretaries, and union parishad chairmen from Rangpur, Khulna, Dhaka, and Mymensingh divisions.
Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League, presided over the meeting.
She asked her party men to prepare for the next national elections and to work jointly for “boat” candidatesin the polls, the boat beingbeing AL's electoral symbol.
"You will have to work together for those who get the boat symbol" she said, asking them to prepare and not to compromise the party's victory in any constituency.
Hasina asked the grassroots leaders to publicise the development work done by the government and to strengthen the party in their respective areas.
She also said the AL-led alliance will have to be protected in the polls."We've formed the alliance. The alliance must be upheld."
She said Awami League wants to ensure that there will be no homeless, unfed, and uneducated person in Bangladesh.
In Bangladesh, everyone will get healthcare services and an improved lifestyle as dreamt by Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina said.
"Raise these (commitments) among the people of every village and tell them they got benefits by voting Awami League into power. The election will be held in December. You'll have to appeal to people to vote for the boat in this election" she said, pointing at her party's grassroots leaders.
Hasina asked the union-level Awami League leaders and activists to help properly deliver to people, various social security allowances, including old age and widow allowances, focusing on different development works carried out by the government.
The prime minister said, today Bangladesh has become a role model for development in the world with Awami League in power for the last nine and half years consecutively.
"Power is not a matter of relish for me nor a matter of making a fortune. Power is for serving people and doing their welfare...and improving their lifestyle," she said.
Criticizing BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, the prime minister said she does not appear before the court in graft cases, pretending to be sick.
Hasina said Khaleda Zia looted the money of orphans and went to jail being convicted by the court. "Seasoned BNP lawyers in BNP failed to prove that Khaleda Zia did not commit corruption, she added.
The prime minister said Federal Bureau of Investigation officials are ready to testify that Khaleda Zia committed corruption.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul Quader, delivered the welcome speech, while Awami League Office Secretary, Abdus Sobhan Golap, read out obituary references at the meeting.
