Sangsad Bhaban: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday sought cooperation from all, irrespective of their party affiliation and opinion, in establishing Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous country in the world.

‘We want to establish Bangladesh as a country of developed and prosperous one in the world by ensuring the economic emancipation of people and free the country from hunger, poverty and the curse of illiteracy. For that I want cooperation from all, irrespective of their party affiliation and views,’ she said, reports the UNB.

The Prime Minister said this while responding to a tabled question from ruling party MP Mohammad Shahiduzzaman (Meherpur-2) in Parliament during the PM’s question-answer session.

In the eyes of the government all people, irrespective of their party affiliation and opinion, are equal, she said adding, ‘We’ll work for all.’

Hasina mentioned that Awami League does not believe in the politics of vendetta. ‘We believe in equality, brotherhood and unity. That’s why we called for national unity on various occasions.’

During her address to the nation on January 25, the Prime Minister said, she underscored the need for national unity.

Hasina said Awami League as the believer of constitutional and democratic system always relies on the united power of people. ‘The participation of all citizens is needed for the overall development and advancement of a country.’

As an individual, one can be involved with any party or organisation and there can be difference of opinion, she said.

‘It’s natural in the democratic system, but sometimes it was seen that there had been evil attempts to vanish the opponents.’

Hasina mentioned about the assassination of the Father of the Nation along with other family members in 1975 and said AL leaders and activists were repeatedly made victims of political vendetta.

She also referred to the killing attempts made on her at different times, including the August 21, 2004 grenade attack that left 22 AL leaders and activists killed and many injured.

While responding to another question from ruling party MP M Shahiduzzaman Sarker (Naogaon-2), Hasina said the anti-adulteration drive will continue till the standard of food comes to the desired level.

To ensure safe food, she said, the anti-adulteration drive is being intensified while the executive magistrates are conducting the mobile court regularly.

To check the transfer of adulterated food items, check-posts have been set up at different parts of roads and highways across the country.

Replying to another question from M Rustam Ali Farazi (Pirojpur-3), Hasina said steps will be taken to provide facilities of modern city in every village through constructing developed roads, communications, supplying drinking water, modern healthcare, quality education, developed sanitation and wastage management, increasing the power and fuel supply, high-speed internet and expanding the market of consumer items.

To increase the power and fuel supply and make it dependable, the government will encourage and give assistance for setting up group-based biogas plants and solar panel, the Prime Minister told the House.

‘Our main target is to remove all sort of inequality. Through rural development the imparity between the rural and urban will be moved,’ she said.