Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a resolute declaration that the next general election will proceed regardless of attempts by the opposition, particularly the BNP, to obstruct it. Addressing a grand rally organized by Dhaka city (north) Awami League, she asserted that the people will freely exercise their voting rights.
The rally, originally planned for October 7 to commemorate the soft opening of the third terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
Thousands of Awami League supporters gathered at the Civil Aviation Authority's residential area in Kawla for the rally. During her address, Prime Minister Hasina, who is also the president of the AL, expressed her concerns that a party associated with corruption and criminal elements could jeopardize the country's progress if it were to come to power.
She urged the people to support the "boat," the symbol of the Awami League, in the upcoming general election. The Prime Minister emphasized the dilemma the BNP is facing concerning its participation in the parliamentary polls, raising questions about the party's leadership and intentions. Hasina asserted that the BNP is well aware that the "boat" symbol is likely to secure votes if the election proceeds. She believes that the AL will win, leading to further progress in the country. She called upon the people to stay vigilant to prevent any attempts by the BNP to disrupt the elections. The Prime Minister also emphasized that she would remain in power if the people support the "boat." She appealed to the public, highlighting the choice between development by voting for the "boat" or potential destruction by supporting BNP-Jamaat.
She dismissed the BNP's attempts to seek foreign support, placing her confidence in the power of the people. Hasina credited the AL's victory in the 2008, 2014, and 2018 general elections for the significant development projects undertaken in Bangladesh. These projects include the Padma Bridge, metro rail, elevated expressway, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Dhaka airport's third terminal, and the tunnel under the Karnaphuli in Chattogram. She also announced upcoming projects to alleviate the people's suffering.
The Prime Minister concluded her speech by calling on the people to help identify hoarders and black marketers, assuring that the government will take stringent action against them to alleviate the people's suffering. Several other prominent figures from the Awami League also spoke at the rally, including AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, presidium members Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Shajahan Khan, and Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint General Secretary Hasan Mahmud, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam.
