People will cast their votes freely in upcoming election: PM

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today called upon the countrymen to be cautious so that BNP cannot thwart the upcoming national election.

"At any cost, the election will be held on time in the country, and people will cast their votes freely," she said while addressing a grand rally organised by the AL Dhaka North City at Civil Aviation Field in the capital city's Kawla area.

She said, "They [BNP] know it very well that if there is an election, votes will be cast for 'boat'. AL will come to power … development of the country will be expedited further. That is why BNP wants to foil the election and snatch away the voting rights of the people."

Mentioning that BNP is in dilemma whether they will participate in the next election, the AL chief questioned, "It is natural. Who is their leader who would participate in the election? Who will be their prime minister? Is that the corrupt absconding criminal or the embezzler of orphans' money?"

She alleged that BNP is trying to foil the next general election for this reason. "I will request all of you to remain vigilant so they cannot do that."

Hasina said that if looters, corrupt, killers, robbers and thieves like the BNP come to power, they will just destroy the country.

"Only the symbol 'boat' can pull the country ahead," she said, urging the countrymen to cast their votes in favour of the ruling party in the next election.

The premier said if the people cast their votes in favour of "boat", only then she would be in power, and otherwise not. "But I will continue my work for the welfare of the people," she added.

AL General Secretary and Road, Transport, and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, AL presidium members Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque, Shajahan Khan, and Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint Secretary and Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud, Joint Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam, spoke at the event, among others.

With AL Dhaka North City President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman in the chair, General Secretary SM Mannan Kochi moderated the rally.

The rally was scheduled to be held on October 7, on the occasion of the soft opening of the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, but it was rescheduled due to inclement weather.