Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged her party men to work hard to establish Bangladesh as a country free from poverty and ensure people's economic freedom.
“I would like to request leaders and activists at all levels to serve people and work for their overall development and welfare,” she said.
Hasina, also the Awami League (AL) president, was addressing a views exchange meeting with AL leaders and activists of Bhola district unit at Gono Bhaban in the capital.
Though an economic recession swept through the world, Bangladesh's economic condition is currently strong enough, she said. “Today, Bangladesh is internationally recognised as a model for development.”
Criticising the BNP-led four-party alliance government, Hasina said the BNP-Jamaat alliance halted the country's progress through looting and corruption and introduced a regime of torture.
Afterwards when the caretaker government came to power, the countrymen endured another phase of torture and repression, she said.
Talking about the country's political history, she said the state's policymakers in the post-'75 period amended the constitution to remain subservient to Pakistan.
UNB adds: Terming AL the party of the common people, Hasina said AL always works for people's welfare. “People for the first time since 1975 have been able to understand that the government is actually for the welfare of the people.”
She said her government had taken the country towards real development during the previous term from 1996 to 2001.
But after the 2001 general election, the country's economic condition began to deteriorate. People, especially those of Bhola district, could never forget the brutal atrocities carried out on AL workers by BNP-Jamaat cadres, she said.
Listing various measures taken by her government, Hasina said the present government created employment opportunities for over 60 lakh people and recruited over 4.5 lakh in government jobs in the last three years.
“People's voting rights have been established as over 5,200 elections, including 12 by-polls, were held in a free, fair and peaceful manner. Such elections were never held in the country and no allegation was raised against their results,” she added.
AL General Secretary Syed Ashraf, Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, AL Advisory Committee member Tofail Ahmed and Bhola district unit leaders and activists were present at the meeting.