Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Saturday sought votes for her party's electoral symbol 'Boat' in the next general election.
"The Awami League has brought the country's independence, given its economic emancipation, socio-economic development and arranged food, clothes and accommodation for its people [countrymen]. So, vote for the Awami League's electoral symbol 'Boat' in the next general election," she said while exchanging greetings with the leaders and activists of the local Awami League and its associate bodies, local representatives and commoners at Kotalipara Upazila Awami League Office on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
Sheikh Hasina said the fortune of the commoner is changed when the Awami League assumes in power.
Briefly described her government's efforts to ensure the country's overall development in the last 14 and a half years, she, however, came down heavily on those who are blinded to the massive development.
"But they are enjoying the benefits of the development," the prime minister said.
"They who never want to see Awami League in power and do not see the country's development. I have nothing to say," she added.
The prime minister said she had no parents and brothers of her own, adding, "You [Kotalipara people] are my near and dear ones and you have always been working for me."
She came to Gopalganj to exchange Eid greetings with the people of Kotalipara and Tungipara without exchanging greetings with others including her relatives, she continued.
Earlier, the prime minister reached Kotalipara around 11:27am after crossing the Padma Bridge following over a three-hour car ride from her official Ganabhaban residence, as part of her two-day visit to Kotalipara and Tungipara.
Prime Minister's ICT Affairs Adviser and only son Sajeeb Wazed Joy accompanied her.
The entire Gopalganj has adorned a festive look with colourful posters, banners and placards while a joyful environment has been prevailing around the district centring her visit.
On her arrival at the Kotalipara upazila Awami League Office, the prime minister planted three wood, fruit and herbal saplings of Neem (margosal), Bakul (Spanish Cherry) and mango trees. Later, she inaugurated the newly-constructed Kotalipara upazila Awami League office.
While exchanging the Eid greetings, most of the leaders of Awami League and its associate bodies and local representatives expressed their heartfelt thanks to Sheikh Hasina for giving them a chance to share their feelings in front of the prime minister and wish her long life.
They also wished that Sheikh Hasina will be the next prime minister of the country and reiterated their commitment to work for winning the Awami League electoral symbol "Boat."
In response, the prime minister called upon all to pray for her so she can serve the countrymen.
Awami League Advisory Council member Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed was present on the dais while Kotalipara upazila Awami League General Secretary Aynal Hossain Sheikh moderated the function.
PM pays homage to Bangabandhu at Tungipara
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday paid rich tribute and offered prayers at the mausoleum of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj.
Accompanied by her family members, the prime minister paid rich tribute to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his grave and offered fateha and joined a munajat this afternoon seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 carnage.
After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the architect of Bangladesh's independence.
The Father of Nation was assassinated by some disgruntled army men on the dreadful night of August 15, 1975, along with most of his family members.
Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, reached her ancestral home at Tungipara in the afternoon from Kotalipara.
She is set to exchange Eid greetings with the Awami League leaders and activists and the masses at the Tungipara upazila Awami League office Sunday morning.
The prime minister is scheduled to spend the night at Tungipara and leave for Dhaka Sunday afternoon.
