Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Md Tajul Islam on Friday urged the public representatives to discharge their duties in their respective areas to maintain a fair environment during the 12th parliamentary election.

The minister was speaking at a discussion meeting with the local government representatives on the review of development activities of the past 5 years at the Directorate of Public Health and Engineering Auditorium in Dhaka organised by the Local Government Department as the chief guest.

Read: Bangladesh now under 'brutal one-party rule': Rizvi

He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strengthened the local government system so that the people from all walks of life can enjoy the benefits of development. Various initiatives have been taken to ensure that people can easily access various government facilities. In order to continue this development, the minister called on everyone to work unitedly for the "boat" AL's electoral symbol.

If Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's hand is strong, Bangladesh will occupy a seat of dignity in the future world. So, he urged the public representatives to perform their duties in their respective areas to maintain a fair environment during the election period.

Read: BNP engaged in activities of terrorist organisations: Hasan Mahmud

Referring to Bangladesh being self-sufficient in food today, the minister said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ensured food security for 17 crore people. Due to various unstable situations like the Russia-Ukraine war, the price of food products has increased all over the world, and it has affected our country as well. But by the grace of Almighty, we have not had any food crisis here. This was possible only because of the magical and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he added.

Chief Engineer of Public Health Engineering Directorate Md Sarwar Hossain, Chief Engineer of Local Government Engineering Directorate (LGED) Md Ali Akhtar Hossain, Additional Secretary of Local Government Department Dr. Moloy Chowdhury, Additional Secretary Dr. Mah: Sher Ali, representatives of Zilla Parishad, Upazila Parishad, Municipal Council and Union Parishad were also present at the meeting.