Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday called upon the people of Barisal, the southern divisional headquarters of Bangladesh, to support and vote for the ruling party Awami League in the upcoming 12th national parliament election to continue the unstoppable progress in the development of the country.
Condemning the recent vandalism and arson attacks by BNP-Jamaat in front of the colourful massive rally at Bangabandhu Uddyan in Barisal, the Awami League president said that their politics is for the welfare of the people, while the politics of BNP-Jamaat is to harm the people.
“The people of the country do not want them anymore. The BNP is a terrorist group. This terrorist group has no right to engage in politics in Bangladesh because they burn people and kill people,” the premier declared.
“I am urging you to go to the polling station early in the morning on January 7. What will your symbol be? It will be the Boat,” she said.
“Casting the vote for the Boat, the people of Bangladesh gained freedom, eradicated poverty, and established digital Bangladesh. Now, if you vote for the Boat, we will make a smart Bangladesh this time. This continuity must be maintained,” the premier continued.
Emphasizing the continuity of the government, Sheikh Hasina said: “Due to climate change, our southern region may be affected, so we have taken the Delta Plan 2100. Only the Awami League can do this, not the war criminals or money launderers.”
The election rally in Barisal was jointly organized by the Barisal City and District Awami League. The Awami League president delivered her speech as the chief guest and introduced the 21 party candidates of the Barisal division from the rally stage.
Although the prime minister reached the Barisal Circuit House at around 1 pm after starting her journey by road from Ganabhaban, along with her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, hundreds of thousands of supporters and activists of the ruling party thronged the rally ground in the early morning.
Within a few hours, the ground filled to the brim as a good number of people were seen taking positions around the ground overnight to secure their places. The crowd then spilled over the surrounding areas, roads, and empty places long before she was taken to the stage made in the shape of a boat.
Early in the morning, a stream of people, including women, were seen marching towards the venue, chanting slogans like “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and holding colourful placards, banners, and festoons. Many of them wore colourful T-shirts, caps on their heads, headbands with drums, election symbol boats, as well as national and party flags.
Several mega projects are still ongoing in Barisal. Moreover, after the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, this is the first historic public meeting of the prime minister in Barisal.
People have gathered to express their gratitude to the prime minister and to get a close look at the public meeting.
Addressing first-time youth voters in the Barisal division, she said: “My appeal is that those who come to vote for the first time do not want their vote to be wasted. So, vote for the Boat symbol to secure the win.”
The premier also pledged that a six-lane road from Bhanga expressway to Kuakata of Patuakhali would be constructed for the people of this region if the Awami League is elected, and the land acquisition for this project has already started.
In addition, a medical college will be built in Barisal, the premier said.
Highlighting the development of the Awami League government in Barisal, known as the grain storehouse of the country, Sheikh Hasina said, "Where is the neglected Barisal today? How has Barisal been developed? We have established a naval base, cantonment, and power plant for the development of the area in the Barisal division. We are creating a special economic zone. We have built a coal-based power plant with solar panels here. Taking Bhola gas as CNG to Dhaka. In the future, I will also bring it to Barisal so that more factories are built in these areas.
“The third submarine cable will be installed in Kuakata, which will ensure an uninterrupted internet connection in this region. Once Barisal was in the dark, when Awami League came to power, lights were ensured in every house. I promised that no room would be in the dark. We have completed our promises,” she added.
Barisal District Awami League President Abul Hasanat Abdullah presided over the rally, where Awami League senior leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Obaidul Quader, Shahjahan Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Barisal City Corporation Mayor Abul Khayer Abdullah Khokon Serniabat, Biplab Barua, and Boloram Poddar, among others, delivered speeches.
President of the Workers Party of Bangladesh Rashed Khan Menon, Chairman of the Jatiya Party (JP) Anwar Hossain Manju, and newly joined Awami League candidate from Jhalakathi-1 Shahjahan Omar spoke at the rally, among others.
Omar, who was expelled from the BNP for participating in the election, said: “I am the youngest member of your party. I hope you will accept me as the youngest member. Although I am the youngest member in Awami League politics, I am very old in the spirit of Joy Bangla.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, are not afraid of any threats, according to Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
“Sheikh Hasina fears only Allah. The people are our strength,” he added.
Awami League Organization Secretary Afzal Hossain and the General Secretary of Barisal District Awami League, Talukdar Mohammad Yunus, jointly conducted the rally.
Meanwhile, at least one person was killed and 13 others were injured in a clash between the followers of Pankaj Nath, an independent candidate in Barisal-4, and Awami League-nominated candidate Shammi Ahmed during the election rally of party President Sheikh Hasina.
