“Awami League ... not only worked for the welfare of the people after it came to power but also stood beside the people and led many movements for securing their rights,” he said.

The Information Minister came up with the remark while talking to reporters after placing a wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi Road no-32 in the morning, marking the party’s 71st founding anniversary.

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Awami League's name is associated with all the achievements of the country since its formation in 1949, he said, adding that the biggest achievement of the party is to establish an independent and sovereign nation through the Liberation War and the movement of Independence under the leadership of Bangabandhu.

“If the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman would not be assassinated with his family after three and half an years of independence, we should have lived in a developed nation like South Korea and Malaysia few decades ago,” said Hasan.

Bangladesh is now on the way to upgrade into a middle-income country as the county’s per capita income has tripled while poverty rate came down to half in the last 11.5 years, he added.

Terming the Prime Minister and also the President of Awami League Sheikh Hasina a true leader of people, the Minister said the Prime Minister has led the country for establishing the rights of people.

Replying to a question about the challenges of the party, Hasan, said: “Awami League has gone forward after tackling the challenges for the last 71 years. It is so unfortunate that after passing 50 years of independence we have to talk about the power of those against the independence. BNP is still supporting its ally, Jamaat-e-Islami. A vested quarter is involved in halting our progress and carrying out communal thought among people. Our challenge is to overcome these.”