Parliament Building: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman inspired the nation towards the War of Liberation through Awami League. The AL has played a significant role in all movements including the historic Language Movement in 1952, United Front election in 1954 and the 6-point movement in 1966.

‘Bangladesh Awami League was formed on 23 June 1949 to see the sun of independence rises up as it set in on this day in 1757,’ she said, while taking part in an unscheduled discussion on the founding anniversary of AwamiLeague in the House.

Sheikh Hasina said the history of Bangladesh Awami League is closely related to the history of independent Bangladesh.

The prime minister said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the founding joint general secretary of Bangladesh Awami League.  

Awami League (AL) achieved trust and confidence of the people of Bangladesh through struggle and sacrifice. The party has led successfully all the national democratic and social movements of the country, she informed the House.

She informed the House that Awami League since its birth in 1949 has been working to establish a non-communal society. ‘The construction project of Shaheed Minar, declaration of 21 February as public holiday and the history of Bangladesh with its heritage, art, culture and literature were accomplished under the leadership of AL,’ she said.  

When Awami League is in power, this means there are socio-economic development and betterment for the Bangali. Bangabandhu initiated the historic maritime boundary and land boundary agreement, and we have only implemented those, Sheikh Hasina said.

She said Bangabandhu reached his message through the historic 7 March speech in 1971 and the people of the country followed that direction with sincerity.  

Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign country under the leadership of Bangabandhu as well as Awami League.

As Awami League is one of the oldest parties in the sub-continent, none can ever try to destroy it, which is wadding against all odds and barriers towards its cherished goal, the prime minister said.

She mentioned that the 1996-2001 tenure of Awami League was a golden era for the nation when her government made tremendous progress in all sectors and the nation achieved dignity at that time.

The government has been able to reduce maternal mortality rate and created an example globally in education, health, poverty reduction, socio-economic development, Sheikh Hasina said.  

She told the House that the government has developed visions to make Bangladesh as a middle income country by 2021 and Bangladesh will be able to hold its stake in the world as a developed country by 2041.

The premier said Bangladesh born with the ideals of Bangabandhu would never go behind, rather the country would move ahead. Bangladesh is the country of Royal Bengal Tigers and our cricketers have proved it, she said.

‘Give them inspiration and they would achieve more and more for the nation in future,’ she also said.