PM kicks off polls campaign, seeks vote for ‘boat’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought vote for "boat", the electoral symbol of Awami League, to reelect the party in the next general election for the sake of continuation of the country's development.

"Please cast your votes for boat to ensure continuation of the country's further development," Sheikh Hasina, also president of the ruling AL, made the call while addressing a mammoth rally on Sylhet Government Alia Madrasah ground this afternoon.

Hasina kicked off her party's electoral campaign through the today’s rally ahead of the 11th parliamentary election likely to be held at the end of this year.

Claiming that her party does politics for development of the country and its people, Hasina said Bangladesh has emerged as a role model of development in the world and it is progressing forward with the spirit of the Liberation War.

The prime minister also described BNP-Jamaat alliance as anti-liberation forces and blamed them for indulging in politics of violence and corruption during previous tenures.

Citing her government's achievement in curbing militancy in the country, Hasina said that militancy came into being during the regime of BNP-Jamaat alliance.

The prime minister went to Sylhet on a daylong visit earlier in the day. She also offered fateha at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA), Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) and Hazrat Gazi Borhan Uddin (RA) in the city.

Hasina also inaugurated 18 development projects and laid the foundation stones of 17 others by unveiling their plaques from Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa ground in the afternoon.