DHAKA, Jan 1, 2024 (BSS)- Awami League (AL) President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the new and young voters to cast their vote for `Boat’ to continue the country's development.

"I call upon the youth folk and new voters to vote for the Boat to continue the country's journey towards development," she said.

Sheikh Hasina was addressing a big election rally at Kalabagan Krira Chakra ground in Dhanmondi here in the afternoon.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has witnessed a massive socio-economic change since Awami League has been in power from 2008.

"Bangladesh has emerged as developing country, transforming it into a digital nation. If Awami League is voted to power again, it will help take forward Bangladesh towards a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh nation 2041," she said.

She said BNP has boycotted the election as they found no scope to rig the voting rights of the people.  

“Now BNP-Jammat are trying to foil the poll and snatch away your vote through arson terrorism,” AL chief said adding “To give them an appropriate answer, every voter with their near and dear ones should go to polling centre in the morning and exercise your franchise." 

Urging the people to remain alert against the BNP-Jamaat clique Sheikh Hasina said, "You will cast your vote and make sure none can prevent you from casting your voting rights. 

Referring to the BNP-Jamaat's arson terrorism, Sheikh Hasina said they had tried to foil 2014 parliamentary election through violence, but failed.

“Now they are out to thwart the 12th parliamentary election slated for January 7 for which they are once again started burning people to death through arson violence and subversive acts,” she said. 

Sheikh Hasina said her party has established the voting rights of the people. BNP and Jamaat have no courage to snatch the rights and foiling the election.

As Sheikh Hasina reached the venue a huge gathering of supporters welcomed her with a roaring response. She greeted the audience waving the national flag.

Introducing all 15 AL candidates of Dhaka, the AL chief has sought vote for her party's electoral symbol Boat, describing the Boat as the symbol of development, peace and prosperity.

She continued: "I am handing over 15 jewels to you who will act as your servants. They will serve you and people of Dhaka," she said.

“Boat had earned the country's independence and saved mankind from the great storm during the period of Nuh Nabi (AS).

The AL chief witnessed a colourful cultural programme performed by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, MP, Presidium Member and Dhaka-13 AL candidate Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint General Secretary and Dhaka -8 AL candidate AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Fazle Noor Taposh, and Dhaka-10 AL candidate and Dhallywood actor Ferdous Ahmed, among other spoke at the rally.

Dhaka North City AL President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman presided over the rally while Dhaka South City AL General Secretary Humayun Kabir moderated it.

Leaders from the AL's central and Dhaka city units and its associate bodies were present.

Coming down heavily on those who blamed AL for vote manipulation, Sheikh Hasina said her government needs no vote rigging to assume power as they have won the hearts of the people by working for the welfare of the country and its people.
 
"The Awami League government has made the Election Commission independent, so that it can conduct election freely," she said.
 
She said they have formed the election commission through enacting laws and brought it out of the purview of the Prime Minister's Office and announced a separate budget for it to make the commission independent financially.

The commission prepared a voter list with photographs and introduced transparent ballot boxes in accordance with the proposal of the Awami League, she said.
 
The AL President said they did such things to ensure a free and fair election, adding, "Awami League does not need vote rigging to assume power as it gets votes of the people by winning their hearts through their acts." 
 
Presenting a brief description of her government's efforts for the development of Dhaka and its surrounding areas, she said they have built metro rail from Motijheel to Uttara, Dhaka Elevated Expressway, Purbachal Expressway, Hanif Flyover, Moghbazar-Mohakhali Flyover, Kuril Flyover, Gauchhia Flyover and Banani Overpass, which help reduce the nagging traffic jam in the capital.
 
The government is building the third terminal of the Shahjalal International Airport, she said, adding a portion of the terminal has already been opened.

"We have already built Dhaka metro rail from Motijheel to Uttara. We, in total, will build 6 metro rails surrounding Dhaka," she said.
 
The Prime Minister said they have plans to build a bus rapid transit road from airport to Gazipur and an overpass from Airport Railway Station to the airport.
 
She said they have taken a project to excavate the rivers surrounding Dhaka that include Buriganga, Dhaleshwari, Turag, Shitalakhya to increase their navigability alongside building walkways, embankment and amusement parks on the riverbanks.
 
The AL chief said if they are voted to power again, they will build waterways surrounding the capital city Dhaka.
 
 
In the last 15 years in power, since 2009, she said, her government has built burn institute, heart institute, ENT institute, eye institute, gastro liver institute, specialized and super critical hospitals to give better and affordable medicare to the people.
 
"We have built hospitals in Dhaka's north, south, east and west to provide healthcare services to the doorsteps of people," she said.
 
The AL President said her government has already taken a project to upgrade Dhaka Medical College into a modern hospital.
 
A design of the hospital has already been completed, she said, adding "If we are voted to power, we will start the work of transforming Dhaka Medical College into a 4000-bed hospital."