Grassroots leaders to be blamed if AL fails to win: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the grassroots leaders and activists of Awami League will be held responsible if people do not cast their votes in favour of the party in the next general election.

"We've implemented so many development programmes...we've developed the country. It won't be acceptable if people don't cast votes for Boat after such massive development works," she said. 

The prime minister was speaking at a special extended meeting of the party with its leaders came from across the country at her official residence Ganobhaban. 

The leaders of Awami League central working committee, advisory council and national committee, district, city and upazila units' presidents and secretaries, and parliament members attended the meeting.  Presidents and secretaries of all the units of Dhaka North and South city corporations and presidents and secretaries of the party's all fronts and associate bodies also attended the meeting. 

Sheikh Hasina, also the chief of Awami League, said there is no reason that people will not vote Awami League to power in the upcoming election.  "If that happens, you the leaders and activists of the grassroots level will be held responsible...this is my opinion, which will mean that you have failed to reach out to the mass people, serve them, convince them, inform them about the tremendous developments that have taken place during the government," she said. 

Hasina insisted that there is no reason to suffer defeat by Awami League candidates in the election.

The prime minister mentioned that Bangladesh never witnessed such development as no government in the past had been able to do so. "So, why other party will get votes... why BNP which is involved in killing, coup, arson attacks, gambling, drugs, looting orphans money, corruption, terrorism and militancy will get votes," she questioned. 

The Prime Minister said she is looking for an answer to the question why BNP will get votes. "So, you (grassroots leaders and activists) have the huge responsibility."   AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader also spoke at the meeting.