Bangladesh News

Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday pledged to take measurers to stop repression on religious minorities and build a developed Bangladesh free from poverty and hunger, if voted to power.

“Cast your vote for boat and we shall build a secular and democratic Bangladesh free from torture and repression where all religious communities will be able to practise their religions freely,” said Hasina.

The AL president addressed six election rallies in different constituencies in Bagerhat and Khulna yesterday, the third day of her election campaign in the country’s southwestern part.

She alleged that hundreds of people of minority communities were tortured and repressed across the country soon after the BNP-Jamaat coalition government assumed power in 2001.

Hasina also criticised BNP for nominating ‘corrupt leaders and godfathers’ once again for the upcoming parliamentary election.

“If those who resorted to corruption and misrule are brought to power again the country will be ruined completely,” said the AL chief.

Terming Islam a religion of peace, Hasina said those who patronised militancy and terrorism in the name of religion are the enemies of Islam and urged the people not to cast vote for them.

While addressing a huge rally on Khulna Circuit House ground, the former premier pledged to bolster operation of the Mongla port through construction of a deep seaport there.

She also gave assurance that gas supply will be ensured for the city residents and a new wage commission will be formed for industrial labourers.

“If we are voted to power, we shall bring down the price of essentials, increase power generation, make education up to degree level free, give agricultural subsidies and ensure community health care facilities,” Hasina said.

“Besides, more schools and colleges will be set up, allowances for freedom fighters, widows and elderly people will be doubled, fertiliser will be sold on open market and loans will be given to shrimp traders and unemployed youths,” she said.

“We want to give something to the country. Give us a chance to serve you and the country. We shall build a developed Bangladesh where none will starve or live without clothes, education, housing and healthcare facilities,” the former premier said.

Hasina addressed election rallies on AK Fazlul Haque Govt Primary School playground in Chitalmari, Mollahat Govt College playground and Kazi Azahar Ali College ground at Fakirhat in Bagerhat-1 constituency from where the AL president is contesting.

She also joined rallies at Khan Jahan Ali College ground in Bagerhat-2 and introduced the party candidates in three other constituencies.

After attending another rally on Rupsha Amdabad School ground in Khulna-4, Hasina addressed finally the rally on the Circuit House ground in Khulna-2 constituency and introduced the grand alliance candidates to the people.

Hasina, accompanied by her younger sister Sheikh Rehana and Rehana’s daughter Azmina Siddique Ruponti left the capital on December 16 for conducting election campaign outside Dhaka.

She is expected to return to the capital on Friday after addressing rallies in Jessore, Narail, Kushtia, Jhenidah, Magura and Faridpur.

The AL chief also visited the house of Jubo League leader Warid Chowdhury, who was killed in a road accident at Garfa in Mollarhat upazila, and consoled his bereaved family members.