Election campaigning for party my right: PM

Bangladesh Awami League (AL) president and prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said seeking votes in favour of her party and its election symbol is her political right and she will keep doing that.

“Seeking votes for Boat is my right. I’m the head of a political party… so I’ll seek votes for my party wherever I’ll go, and this is my political right,” she said reacting to criticisms by BNP leaders, according to UNB.

Hasina’s arch enemy and country’s main opposition political party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has all along been criticising her for seeking votes for Boat, the election symbol of AL, using government benefits and facilities while inaugurating various development programmes across the country, alleging that Hasina was using state machinery and money for her election campaign.

In reference to the allegation, the AL president defended her election campaign, during her inaugural speech at a meeting of the AL’s Central Working Committee (ALCWC) at the prime minister’s official residence Ganabhaban.

Hasina said the next general election will be held in due time and all have to go to the people of the country for votes. “We’ll have to convince people that only casting votes for Boat can bring prosperity in their lives,” she said.

She mentioned that the people of the country got Independence, their mother tongue and development in rural areas after casting votes for Boat.

Hasina said it is the responsibility and duty of her party to develop the county.

“The trust of people is our main capital to do everything for them and the country,” she said.

Hasina asked her party leaders to project the success stories and achievements of the present government. “Awami League is a party that led all the struggles and movements that meant for establishing the rights of people, and it has been working for changing their lot and ensuring their improved lifestyle.”

Returning to power, Hasina said, her government undertook long-term steps like five-year plan and 10-year perspective plan to develop the country in a planned way.

As a result, she said, this has been possible for Bangladesh to implement MDGs, and the government is marching ahead on the path of implementing the SDGs.

All these measures have made it easier for Bangladesh to be recognised as a developing country, she said adding that the nation advanced another step forward following the international recognition.