Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said only Awami League could ensure a smooth journey towards becoming a developing country by 2026 and Bangladesh will be the developed country by 2041.

“We will start a new journey from 2026. We have already taken preparations for that. And I believe that if only Awami League remains in power we will be able to make a smooth journey as the developing country and Bangladesh will be the developed country by 2041,”

she said.

She said this while delivering introductory speech in the AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC) meeting with at her official residence Ganabhaban.

The prime minister also mentioned that the 2024 election was the fairest in the history of Bangladesh.

She said that every general elections have seen bodies, ballot boxes were looted and various incidents had happened.

“But this time it didn't happen. We have ensured the people's vote. We have given the right to vote to the people. Made people aware about constitutional rights. So people trust us,” she said.

She regretted that those who took birth undemocratically and showed thumbs to voting rights of the mass people through vote rigging are now talking about the voting rights.

“Even in 2001 we were defeated forcefully as we did not agree to sell the country’s natural gas,” she said.

But, she said, Khaleda Zia (former prime minister) had given that undertaking and came to power through vote rigging in October 2001 election.

Sheikh Hasina said that today's Bangladesh is a changed Bangladesh.

“We announced the election manifesto. I was able to change Bangladesh. This is our success. We have also made a step forward.”

She also said that BNP and its allies do not like this advancement of the country.

“Because they are not in power, they cannot rob and loot," she said.

She mentioned that people's trust and confidence is the only strength of Awami League.

“We have no other power, we move forward with people's trust and faith,” she said.

She vowed to advance the country further in the coming days defying all obstacles from the adversaries.