PM urges people to go to polling centres

Awami League (AL) President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the countrymen to cast their votes in January 7 parliamentary election to prove that democracy has been prevailing in the country.

"Vote is your democratic and constitutional right. Go to the polling centres to cast your votes and thus prove that democracy is prevailing in the country," she said.

She said this while addressing the last public rally of the election campaign for the 12th parliamentary polls slated for January 7, at Fatullah in Naranyanj.

The AL president asked all to maintain peace across Bangladesh ahead of the 12th parliamentary election.

Describing the 'Boat' as the symbol of development, she said, "Boat is our electoral symbol. If you vote us to assume power again, we will build a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh."

She said her government has made tremendous development of the entire Narayanganj in the last 15 years since 2009, which has been possible due to continuation of a democratic government for a longer period.

"If we are voted to power again, we will build Narayanganj a smart city as it is a very important town and very close to the capital," she said.

The AL president also pledged to build three metro rail lines -1, 2 and 4 - which will cross Narayanganj district.

She said conspiracies are being hatched till the date to foil the election, urging the countrymen to remain alert to this end.

"There are lots of conspiracies to thwart the election. So, maintain peace to this end," she said.

The AL president said that BNP has started boycotting election since they were defeated badly in 2008 election in which BNP-led alliance only get 20 seats while the AL got 233 seats.

"Sensing defeat, the BNP-Jamaat clique is out to foil the election by arson terrorism like 2013-14," she said, adding, "But the people of the country won't allow to restrict voters from casting votes," she said.

The next parliamentary election must be held on January 7 confronting all the conspiracies.

The AL president reached the venue ground at 3.13pm and waved the national flag to a roaring response of the participants after boarding the boat shaped huge stage.

Narayanganj district and metropolitan Awami League organised the rally at the AKM Shamsuzzoha Sports Complex ground in Fatullah's Masdair area here.

At the rally, Sheikh Hasina introduced her party nominated four candidates of Narayanganj district.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Narayanganj-4 AL candidate Shamim Osman, AL Office Secretary Biplab Barua, Nayaranganj-1 candidate Golam Dastagir Gazi, Narayanganj-3 candidate Abdullah Al Kaiser and Narayanganj 2 candidate Nazrul Islam, among others, also spoke at the rally.

Bangladesh Awami Juba League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and Narayanganj City Corporation Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy also spoke when Narayanganj 5 member of parliament Salim Osman was present on the dais.

Narayanganj district AL President Abdul Hai presided over the rally.

AL leaders and supporters started assembling at the venue ground since morning with processions, chanting various slogans and taking placards in hands from different parts of Narayanganj district.

The ground was filled to brim with the people of all strata of life that turned the rally into a human sea.

Narayanganj and its nearby districts wore a festive look as the roads, lanes and by lanes were decorated with various posters, banners and placards welcoming Sheikh Hasina and seeking votes for boat.