Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought vote for “boat”, the electoral symbol of the Awami League, to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country.

“Awami League means development... Bangladesh will be a developed and prosperous country. The people of Bangladesh will move forward with dignity in the global arena. It's our goal. To achieve the goal, we want vote for 'boat' in the next national polls to be held in December.”

Hasina was addressing a public rally, organised by the district AL, at Sylhet Alia Madrasa ground in the afternoon.

Formally launching the party's election campaign, she urged the voters to remain alert against terrorism, militancy and corruption. “There's no room for terrorism, militancy and corruption on Bangladesh soil.”

Mentioning that the “boat” symbol brought the country's independence and showed the path of prosperity, she said the “boat” was taking Bangladesh towards the path of development.

“When the Awami League comes to power, the country sees development. But the BNP-Jamaat alliance men, who are looters, killers and arsonists, know how to destroy.”

The PM alleged that the BNP indulges in militancy and terrorism whenever it comes to power. “When the Awami League remains in power, Bangladesh earns fame and gets awards. But when the BNP stays in power, Bangladesh is condemned.”

The BNP and Jamaat had resorted to killing and vandalism in 2013-2015 and felled a large number of trees across the country, she complained.

During the “violence by the BNP” in those three years, some 500 people were killed, more than 3,036 suffered burn injuries as well as 3,252 buses, 29 trains, nine launches and 70 government offices were torched, she added.

“We have never seen such violence. A movement is for the people and for realising their demands. But the BNP burned people to death... they [BNP] stopped only when people came out together to resist.”

Had the AL not come to power in 2014, the country would not have seen the massive development, the PM told the rally.

Bangladesh, said the AL chief, became a role model of development in the world and its people attained dignity as her party was voted to power.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivers a speech to a huge crowd at the Sylhet Alia Madrasa ground yesterday. Photo: BSS

About militancy, she said Islam, a religion of peace, never supports militancy and terrorism. “Those who kill innocent people in the name of Islam will never go to heaven.”

She urged all, including parents, teachers, religious leaders and guardians, to check whether their children were deviating from the right path.

Like in the past, the AL president yesterday launched her party's electoral campaign from Sylhet for the 11th parliamentary polls.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, among others, spoke at the rally, chaired by Sylhet city AL President Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran.

The premier opened 18 development projects and laid the foundation stones of 17 others by unveiling plaques from the meeting venue.

Earlier, Hasina offered fateha at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA), Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) and Hazrat Gazi Borhan Uddin (RA) in the city.