DHAKA, Aug 6, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today asked her party leaders and workers to well prepare for the upcoming national election, saying all have to work together to ensure win of Awami League-nominated candidates.

"All have to work in unison to win of the Awami League-nominated candidates in the next election," she said while delivering concluding remarks at the special extended meeting of Bangladesh Awami League at her official Ganabhaban residence.

In reply to the call of their party chief, all the leaders attending the meeting raised their hands and expressed their firm commitment to do so accordingly.

Issuing directives to all of the Awami League leaders and activists to prepare themselves for the upcoming national election, Sheikh Hasina said "Our only strength is the people."

Noting the upcoming national elections are very important, she urged her party men to highlight the development works before the people that have been implemented in every area during the last 14 and a half years of the Awami League government.

She added, the development in Bangladesh has been possible because of Awami League is in power.

Criticizing the activities of BNP and its leaders, the Awami League President said, "The birth of BNP is an outright sin. The birth of the BNP is through illegal usurpation of power, through the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and terrorism."

Since the Awami League formed the government in 2009, she said, BNP has carried out arson terrorism , killed people, blockade programmes, and many other misdeeds. "But, no movement can harm the country and people because of Awami League is a strong organization and we are accepted by the people."

Rather, they (BNP) are gradually being questioned by people, she added.

The premier called upon all to be vigilant against rumours and misinformation, saying Awami League never bow down to anyone.

Around 5,000 party leaders and elected public representatives from the Awami League joined the meeting.

Members of Awami League central working committee, advisory council, presidents and general secretaries of districts, metropolis , upazilas and municipality units of AL, members of parliament, district and upazila parishad chairmen, city corporation and municipality mayors, and presidents and general secretaries of AL associate organizations were present in the meeting.

Before every national election, Awami League organises such meetings to give guidelines to the party leaders. The last such meeting was held on June 23, 2017 ahead of the 2018 parliamentary polls.

At the outset of the meeting, AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader also spoke, while Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua placed a condolence motion.

Awami League Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap and Deputy Publicity and Publication Secretary Syed Abdul Awal Shamim jointly conducted the meeting.