Stay alert so Bangladesh never becomes home of Rajakars: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked all particularly the expatriate Bangladeshis to remain alert so none can again turn Bangladesh into a home of the anti-liberation force and push the country back.

"We have been advancing Bangladesh towards prosperity. This advancement must go on. Stay alert as none can push the country back and make it Rajakars' abode," she said addressing a reception accorded to her here on Friday night.

The premier also asked all to be alert against any conspiracy with the fate of the countrymen as the Bangladeshi diaspora in Germany arranged the reception at Hotel Burgerhaus Garching in Munich.

Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her commitment to build Bangladesh as a secular state where people of every faith will enjoy equal rights.

"We will materialise the dream of the Father of the Nation to transform Bangladesh into a prosperous, developed and smart Sonar Bangla with the spirit of the Liberation War and secularism," she said.

The prime minister said she is committed to reaching the fruit of the Liberation War to every doorstep and won’t let go in vain of the victory against the Pakistani occupation forces in the 1971 war.

"I never think what I need, rather I think what I can do for the betterment of the country and its people," she said, adding her children also dedicated them to the welfare of the people.

Describing the Awami League as the pro-people party, she said the people of the country have everything including Bangla as the mother tongue and the country's independence through the Language Movement and Liberation War respectively under the leadership of the Father of the Nation.

"Awami League (AL) is my biggest strength. We have been able to fight various disasters like the Covid-19 pandemic as we have the party (in power)," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said she has always tried to do something for the masses, adding, “Whenever I get a chance I do work for the welfare of the people".

She said the people have faith and confidence in Awami League as they always find the party beside them when they need it.

Giving a brief description of the overall development of the country, she said they have made huge socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

"Our development goal is not only building mega establishments but also progressing at the grassroots," she said.

The prime minister termed BNP as the party of looters saying the party does nothing for the wellbeing of the people rather it makes their own fortunes.

She came down heavily on the BNP, saying it did not take part in the 12th parliamentary election fearing defeat as they torched vehicles and burned people to death.

They did not take part in the election as they knew that people would not vote for them, she said.

"The party which was formed by a military dictator always believes in agencies and they can do nothing without their help," she added.

The head of the government blamed the BNP for destroying the electoral process by holding yes/no votes and presidential elections.

"BNP snatched away the voting rights of the people and made the election farcical through manipulations," she said.

But, the Awami League has returned the balloting power to the people through a long struggle, she added.

The premier said the 12th parliamentary election was the freest, fairest and most credible after 1975, adding the people of the country particularly women gave their vote freely in the last parliamentary polls.

"If the Awami League had not been voted to power this time, the massive development which has taken place in the last 15 years during the AL regime since 2009, would have been ruined. The looters (BNP) would rob everything," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also reiterated her call to expatriate Bangladeshis to send remittances through banking channels.

Mentioning that her government has been establishing 100 economic zones across the country, she asked the expatriate Bangladeshis to invest in the economic zones with foreign partners.

The prime minister also asked the expatriates to prepare themselves as worthy so that they can serve themselves, their country and people.

She said her government had attached topmost priority to sending skilled manpower abroad.

"We have been working with the target and for which we are developing skilled manpower," she said.

The prime minister said her government made Bangladesh digital and will transform it into a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041 in line with the Awami League election manifesto of 2024.

Foreign Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud and the local mayor of Munich spoke while Bangladesh Ambassador to Germany Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan moderated the function.

/KN/