Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has warned that the country will again plunge into darkness unless the ruling Awami League remains in power. “If the Awami League does not remain in power, the country will again return to the era of darkness,” she said. The prime minister said this while addressing a reception accorded to her by the US chapter of the Awami League in the Holiday Express Inn Hotel here on Wednesday. But, she said, "I know that the people of Bangladesh will not want to go back to darkness." Describing 29 years of the BNP-Jamaat governments as the era of darkness, the PM said they did nothing for the people during the period except making their own fortune. “The BNP-Jamaat clique has erased 29 years from the life of Bangladeshi people. Somehow, the Awami League has bridged the gap of the years by conducting massive development across the country from 2009 to till the date,” she said. Read more: Over 1100 video contents are published on govt’s achievements to mark PM Hasina’s birthday Bangladesh has attained recognition as a developing country during the period as the AL is governing the country with specific plans alongside having continued democratic process and stability in the country since 2009 in line with her government’s Vision 2041 mentioned in 2008 election manifesto, she said. The prime minister said her government has been preparing to start the country's journey as a developing nation from 2026 and for which they have formed a committee led by her principal secretary to find ways to ease the journey towards development and prosperity. “I know, If the Awami League remains in power, Bangladesh’s journey as a developing country will face no difficulty,” she reiterated. Hasina said the next general election is vital for Bangladesh for this reason and they have already formed a committee to formulate the election manifesto as part of the polls preparation. “I have trust and confidence in the people of Bangladesh. The masses still believe that the Awami League only can change their fate and make the country’s development sustainable,” she said. Read more: No one from outside should obstruct elections in Bangladesh: PM Hasina warns in New York She said the people of the country are her only near and dear ones as she lost everything including her father, mother and brothers on August 15 in 1975. “The people of Bangladesh are my strength. The countrymen are my family and I am running the state keeping that in my mind,” she said.  She said they have been giving the landless and homeless home free of cost, reaching healthcare services to every doorstep through community clinics, giving stipends to 2.5 crore students to make sure the countrymen won’t suffer anymore. “We have been doing everything in a planned way to ensure the country’s march towards development and prosperity,” she said. She said none of the people of the country of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will remain homeless and ultra poor. The prime minister said they have built Digital Bangladesh and turned Bangladesh into a developing nation as per 2008 election manifesto and are now pursuing to transform the country into a “Smart Bangladesh” as the journey towards development will be continued. “Stay alert so none can play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of the country,” she urged the people. Terming the BNP-Jamaat as the terrorist political parties, the premier said their character has not yet been changed as they are hatching conspiracy at home and abroad to undermine the image of the country on the global stage. “Their (BNP-Jamaat clique) character is yet to change. So, they are out to undermine the country through hatching conspiracies and spreading propaganda,” she said, adding: “We have to give them a good reply showcasing the huge development works conducted by the Awami League across the country at home and abroad." The prime minister asked leaders and workers of the US chapter of the Awami League to make their communication stronger with congressmen, senate members and local government representatives of their localities in America and apprise them of Bangladesh’s development and the BNP-Jamaat clique’s falsehood and conspiracy to undermine Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the Awami said her party had started fighting for the rights of the people since its birth and these included the Language Movement, six-point demand and War of Liberation. “The development of Bangladesh has been possible due to having the Awami League in power. Nobody else will work for the country’s development with such devotion and love. We want the advancement to be continued and none can hinder it,” she said. The prime minister arrived in Washington DC on September 23 from New York after attending the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session and other high-level side and bilateral meetings from September 17-22.

The training programme for district and metropolitan city level trainers and field-level campaigners of Bangladesh Awami League was launched on Tuesday in Mymensingh, following the special initiative of the party to disseminate the message of the government’s development programmes and future plans to every voter’s doorstep ahead of the next national election. A press conference was held at 11 am at Mymensingh city’s Green Point Community Center. After that, a formal inauguration and campaigner training workshop was held at Advocate Tarek Memorial Auditorium at 12 pm. Awami League announces 12-day programme from September 23 Kabir Bin Anwar, Chief Coordinator of AL’s National Election Administration Committee, inaugurated the program. Mymensingh city unit Awami League President and city Mayor Md. Ikramul Haque and General Secretary Mohit Ur Rahman Shanto; Mymensingh district Awami League President Ehteshamul Alam and General Secretary Advocate Moazzem Hossain Babul were present at the programme. AL govt won’t be ousted through movement: Razzaque to BNP The training programme was conducted by focal point of “offline campaign”, Sufi Faruq Ibne Abubakar, and assistant focal point Syed Imam Baker. Awami League had undertaken a special initiative to disseminate the message of the government’s development programmes and future plans to every voter’s doorstep ahead of the next national election. As part of this initiative, Awami League will form a “master trainer” group with university teachers who will go to each upazila and provide training at the upazila-level. AL launches special program to disseminate message of dev and future plans door to door ahead of nat’l election

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (August 06, 2023) asked her Awami League party leaders and activists to prepare for the upcoming national election. “All have to work unitedly to ensure the win of the Awami League-nominated candidates in the next election,” she said while delivering concluding remarks at the special extended meeting of Bangladesh Awami League at her official residence Ganabhaban. In reply to the call of their party chief, all the leaders attending the meeting raised their hands and expressed their commitment to do so accordingly. Read: Mass people are our only masters, no one else: PM Hasina tells AL special meet Issuing directives to all Awami League leaders and activists to prepare themselves for the upcoming national election, Hasina said “Our only strength is the people.” Noting that the upcoming national elections are very important, she urged her party members to highlight and present to the people the development works  that have been implemented in every area during the last 14 years and a half of the Awami League rule. “All these developments in Bangladesh have been possible because Awami League has been in power," she said. Read: PMO for increasing leather export to $5 billion within four years Criticizing the activities of BNP and its leaders, the Awami League President said that the birth of BNP had been an outright sin. “The birth of the BNP had happened through the illegal seizure of power, through the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and through terrorism," she asserted. She mentioned that since the Awami League formed the government in 2009, BNP has carried out arson violence, killed people, staged blockade programmes, and committed many other misdeeds. “But, no movement can harm the country and the people as Awami League is a strong organisation and we are accepted by the people.” Read: PM Hasina urges private sector to patronize sports and culture Rather, they (BNP) are gradually being questioned by people, she added. Hasina called upon all to be vigilant against rumours and misinformation, saying Awami League never bow to anyone.

Awami League is not under any international pressure ahead of the 12th parliamentary election; if there’s any pressure it’s from our own conscience, said the party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader. “Why should we feel pressure? It is our commitment to hold free, fair elections. If you talk about pressure, then it’s pressure from our own conscience,” he said at a press briefing today (August 03, 2023), shortly after holding a meeting with US Ambassador Peter Haas at AL Central Office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka. Also read: US has no position on caretaker govt issue: Ambassador Haas after meeting AL delegation “We have trade relations with America, we maintain friendly ties. The ambassador of the United States came to our party office. They've never been to our office before. He came, and he saw it,” said Quader. “We talked about the next election. Our commitment remains the same and it is loud and clear. We want peaceful elections. We want free and fair elections. We're talking to everyone. It's our commitment to the people of the country,” he added. Also read: Not a violation of Vienna Convention: US ambassador on raising issues about domestic political affairs “It is our sacred duty to protect democracy. We are committed to this responsibility. Bangladesh has an independent Election Commission,” said the AL leader. In response to a question, Obaidul Quader said, “We didn’t talk about any complaint. The US ambassador didn’t mention caretaker government, dissolution of parliament, resignation of the prime minister either. We talked about free, fair and peaceful elections.” “The Americans didn’t give us any advice, and there was no talk of dialogue either,” he added. Also read: US Ambassador Haas holding meeting with AL leaders at Bangabandhu Avenue office

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Thursday (August 03, 2023) reiterated that the US does not support any particular political party but supports the democratic process that will allow the people of Bangladesh to choose their next government. "We believe everyone has a role to play, making sure that elections are free, fair and peaceful," he told reporters after his meeting with the Awami League delegation led by its General Secretary Obaidul Quader. Haas said the government, media, judiciary, political parties, civil society, security forces, and of course voters - each has a role in the democratic process. Also read: US Ambassador Haas holding meeting with AL leaders at Bangabandhu Avenue office "And each has to play their role and be allowed to play their role in order to have a free, fair and peaceful election," he said. On the question regarding the adamant stance of both Awami League and BNP over the issue of caretaker government, Haas said the US has no position whatsoever on that issue. "That is for political parties to decide what their approach is. We’re only concerned and interested in (ensuring) that there will be free, fair elections that are free of violence," he said. Also read: Not a violation of Vienna Convention: US ambassador on raising issues about domestic political affairs Responding to a question on whether the US is being more aligned with the BNP, Ambassador Haas said, "It's a weird question when I’m sitting at the Awami League headquarters. No, we meet with all political parties. We do not play favourites. I meet with both AL leaders and activists and ministers who are also part of the AL. There’s no preference; we meet people from all parts of society equally, and we do not play favourites." "I’ve met other political parties. I regularly visit media outlets, I speak frequently with civil society and interact with the police and security forces. And this is all part of what I do as the American ambassador," he said. Also read: US to send pre-election assessment and monitoring team in early Oct: Peter Haas In each of these meetings, he said, he repeats the same messages. "And these are US policies that we support a free, fair and peaceful election with no violence on the part of anyone." Ambassador Haas held the meeting with Awami League leaders at its central office. AL Presidium Member Muhammad Faruk Khan, International Affairs Secretary Shammi Ahmed, Information and Research Secretary Selim Mahmud, Office Secretary Biplab Barua and Executive Member Mohammad Ali Arafat were also present at the time. An official of the US embassy accompanied Peter Haas at the meeting. Also read: US calls on all parties in Bangladesh to respect fundamental freedoms and rule of law

Tomorrow's (July 28, 2023) rally of Awami League's associate organisations -- Chhatra League, Jubo League and Swechchasebak League -- will be held at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, instead of the old trade fair ground in Agargaon, said Afzalur Rahman Babu, general secretary of Swechchasebak League. "The rally cannot be held at the old trade fair ground as there is a scheduled programme of the president at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) next to the ground," he told reporters in Dhaka's Agargaon today. Also read: BNP must take responsibility if public safety is disturbed during movement: Quader A press conference regarding the rally will be held at the Chhatra League office on Bangabandhu Avenue at 5 pm today. Also read: AL’s associate organisations to hold rally on Friday too Yesterday, the three associate organisations of AL announced that their youth rally, that was scheduled for today, will be held on Friday. Also read: BNP defers tomorrow’s grand rally to Friday at Dhaka’s Nayapaltan The decision came after BNP decided to hold its rally on Friday, instead of Thursday.

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that there is no possibility of conflict from the party's side during the rally on July 27. “Awami League will not instigate any violence. However, the AL government will ensure the safety of people's lives and property if violent incidents occur,” he said while addressing the introductory meeting of the party's education and human resources sub-committee at its central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka today (July 24, 2023). BNP's dream will never come true: Obaidul Quader “Around 70 percent of the country's population is eagerly waiting to vote for AL. People are our strength, and we are not afraid of anyone,” he said. Commenting on student politics, he said, “The beauty of student politics has lost some sheen, and we need to revive its former glory.” Sheikh Hasina's government needed again: Obaidul Quader Quader also said, “There has been a quiet revolution happening in the development of Digital Bangladesh by Sajeeb Wazed. He works in silence and does not seek self-promotion.” General Election to be held as per constitution: Obaidul Quader

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the 10-point demand has now become a one-point demand—Sheikh Hasina's resignation. She must resign immediately, he said. Also read: No compromise with govt over next election: Fakhrul “Through elections under a non-partisan neutral government a new parliament and a new government of the people should be formed, " he said at the BNP march at the institute premises in Dinajpur on Wednesday (July 19, 2023) afternoon. “This movement is not just a movement of BNP or Khaleda Zia or Tarique Rahman, this fight is a movement for the liberation of 18 crore people across the country,” he said. Also read: Govt to blame for US’s disrespectful visa policy: Fakhrul Krishak Dal Central President Hasan Jafir Tuhin presided over the programme. District Committee President Mofazzal Hossain Dulal, Divisional Organizing Secretary Asadul Habib Dulu, Senior Vice Chairman Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain and others spoke on the occasion. Earlier, leaders and activists of eight districts of the division gathered at the meeting hall with various banner, placards. After the rally, the march was taken out. Also read: Assassination threat made against PM at BNP rally: Fakhrul slammed for ‘sharing stage’ with threat issuer Meanwhile, Fakhrul alleged that 50 leaders and activists of the party were injured in an attack by Chhatra League.

The ruling Awami League's two-day ‘peace and development procession’ programme is set to start from the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh this afternoon. The programme will be held in response to the BNP's 'one-point' movement for the government’s resignation. The Awami League will take out processions to resist the BNP's “attempts to create an unstable situation,” it said. No force can thwart elections: Razzaque Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader will deliver a speech as chief guest at the brief inauguration while President of Dhaka South City Awami League will preside over the event.  The procession will start outside the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh at 3 pm. Following that, the Dhaka South City unit of Awami League will march towards Road No. 32 in Dhanmondi. The rally will pass Shahbagh, Kataban, Science Laboratory, Kalabagan to reach Dhanmondi 32. Those attacking Hero Alam were trying to make Dhaka-17 by-polls controversial: Arafat condemns incident On Wednesday, the rally will be held at Tejgaon's Satrasta intersection, followed by a procession led by the Dhaka North City unit of Awami League to Mohakhali.  The rally will pass Satrasta, Tibet, Nabisco, Mohakhali Bus Terminal. The Dhaka District Awami League will hold the procession outside the metropolis on both days. No foreign pressure for election dialogue: Hasan Mahmud

Voicing deep concerns over the crude bomb explosions in the capital ahead of the party’s public rally on Wednesday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the government is trying to unleash violence in the country to blame the opposition party. "They (govt) are trying again to push the entire country and the nation towards violence deliberately through provocations, he said. Speaking at a training programme for the female leaders and workers of BNP, Fakhrul said some media outlets reported about the crude bomb explosions in the city's Moghbazar area on Monday night. “It is a very deliberate and conspiratorial move by those who want to destroy the democracy in Bangladesh and to malign and blame the opposition parties.” Also read: One-point Movement: BNP sits with four allies He alleged that the government carried out the incident through its various agencies to give the impression that BNP was behind it. The BNP leader said their party has announced to hold a peaceful public rally in the capital on Wednesday as they did in the past. “But they (AL) have announced a so-called counter programme, 'peace rally' and 'peace march', pushing the country towards conflict." He warned that the government will have to shoulder all the responsibilities for taking the country towards violence with its provocative acts and programmes. Fakhrul called upon the government to back off from these terrible efforts to destabilise the country and work for creating a truly democratic state system in the country by accepting the opposition’s demand for holding an acceptable national election under a neutral administration. Also read: BNP seeks cops' cooperation in holding Dhaka rally Wednesday The BNP's 'Training Cell' arranged the day-long training workshop for women representatives of the party in collaboration with United States-based 'Democracy International (DI)' at party the chairperson's office in Gulshan. Fakhrul said the government has recently been saying that they do not obstruct the political parties from doing their political activities. “It’s a complete lie and fraudulence." “Awami League has a characteristic problem that they do not believe in democracy. They choose dictatorship and feudalism. They have a mindset that there‘s no one else in the country except them and they’re the only owners of the country,” he said. Also read: Govt has taken elections as weapon to establish fascism: Fakhrul The BNP leader said it is unfortunate for the nation that there is no democracy in the country while the democratic space for the political parties has been destroyed. He questioned whether there is any democratic party in the world except BNP, whose four million leaders and workers are facing false political cases and the chief of the party has been convicted on false charges and all the senior leaders of the party are facing false cases on fake charges. Citing a newspaper report, Fakhrul alleged that the government is trying to speed up the trial in the cases filed against him and their party chief Khaleda Zia. “They’ve instructed the police authorities and even the Law Ministry issued a letter to the judges to speed up the trial and dispose of the cases (against opposition leaders and activists)…the rulers are doing this as they don’t believe in democracy. They want to hang onto power and they don’t respect and count the other political parties.” Also read: Fakhrul sets up big expectations from next Wednesday's BNP rally Fakhrul said they have been carrying out a movement for the restoration of democracy in a democratic manner as the usurper government held two elections completely deceiving people by force. “Competitive elections are the key elements to uphold the democratic practice…but the rulers in this country talk about democracy, but they never practice it,” he said. The BNP leader said there are now many discussions about the frequent trips of delegations from different countries to Bangladesh. Also read: Govt hacking opposition leaders’ smartphones by using ‘Pegasus’ spyware, alleges Fakhrul “An American delegation is coming today (Tuesday) while a team of EU has already arrived here to know about human rights democracy and elections here. Why do they come to Bangladesh? Because there’s no democracy here and there’re no (credible) elections and elections are not held (fairly) here,” Fakhrul observed. He said a level-playing field having equal opportunity for all political parties is necessary for a good election, but it is not possible to ensure when the government tries to suppress opposition leaders and activists by arresting, jailing, killing, and implicating them in false cases and when it tries to prevent the opposition from function and holding their programmes by using the state machinery. Also read: Fakhrul hopeful about success of one-point movement