PM expresses optimism about meaningful polls

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed on Monday her firm optimism that the country was heading towards a meaningful election to continue the development spree in the coming years as she joined a dialogue with Jatiya Party-led United National Alliance (UNA), reports BSS.

"Exercising franchise is a democratic right of the people and they will apply it in a free, fair and impartial manner in the next elections, "she said in her introductory comments at the dialogue of Awami League-led 14-party alliance with the UNA led by former president HM Ershad at Ganobhaban on Monday evening.

Sheikh Hasina added: "Through this meaningful poll the country's development spree will continue."

Highlighting Bangladesh's tremendous development over the last 10 years, the prime minister said Jatiya Party was beside the government's journey towards development and "we thank for the cooperation that we received from the party".

Mentioning that her aim is to develop the country, the Awami League president stressed the need for keeping up the development works that her government initiated.

The prime minister also recalled Bangabandhu's outstanding contributions to

Bangladesh's development. "Bangladesh was turned into a least developed country by Bangabandhu and following his footsteps, we graduated it as a developing country," she added.

The dialogue between the two alliances kicked off at 7:15 pm at the Banquet Hall of Ganobhaban.

Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina was leading a 23-member delegation of the 14-party alliance at the dialogue, while a 33-member UNA team was being led by Jatiya Party and UNA Chairman HM Ershad.

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad and Senior Co-Chairman and Leader of the Opposition Begum Raushan Ershad greeted the premier when she entered the Banquet Hall.