Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday sought votes for her party symbol ‘Boat’ in the next general election for maintaining the pace of development.

‘I seek your blessings and votes for our party symbol ‘Boat’ in the next election so that we can serve the nation. If you make our candidates victorious, the pace of development will continue. But, if those unleashed terrorism and militancy in the country come to power again, Bangladesh will again turn into a den of terrorists and militants,’ she said.

The Awami League chief was addressing a mammoth public rally organised by the local unit of Awami League at the Harian Sugar Mills ground in Paba upazila of Rajshahi. Upazila AL President Yeasin Ali presided over the rally, reports the UNB.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, AL Joint General Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, among others, spoke at the rally.

Noting that Awami League is a party which belongs to people, Sheikh Hasina said the country witnesses massive development whenever AL is in power. ‘But, when the BNP-Jamaat grabbed power, terrorism, militancy, looting, plundering and Bangla Bhai emerged in the country and people had to endure immense sufferings.’

During their tenure, she alleged, the top BNP leader and her other party leaders amassed wealth abroad and led a luxurious life. ‘Even they embezzled the fund of orphanage. This is their (BNP leaders’) character.’

The Prime Minister also renewed her firm resolve that no poverty will remain there in the country, saying some 5 crore people have already come out of the poverty level as Bangladesh has already become self-reliant economically.