Lawmakers from both treasury and opposition benches in the Jatiya Sangsad on Tuesday said Bangladesh gained many things including its much-awaited Independence under the able and farsighted leadership of Awami League (AL).
Taking part in an unscheduled discussion in the House, they referred to the founding history of AL, the oldest political party of the country, saying this party was established on June 23, 1949 with a clear vision of emancipating the people of this area from deprivation and exploitation. Later, the word “Muslim” was dropped renaming the party as Awami League to give it a secular identity, they said.
Two senior cabinet members- Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed-and independent lawmaker Hazi Mohammad Salim, spoke in the parliament marking the 66th founding anniversary of ruling AL. Besides, all lawmakers during the general discussion on the proposed budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year, hailed the birthday of Awami League and congratulated Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion.
They paid tributes to the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who led the nation to the War of Liberation in 1971 up to achieving the ultimate victory on December 16 in the same year.
Referring to the selfless contribution of Awami League towards the country’s independence as well as welfare of the people, Amir Hossain Amu said Bangladesh achieved many things, including the hard-earned freedom through Awami League led by Father of the Nation.
“Whatever the country gained, Awami League was behind it . . . after Bangabandhu, his beloved daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is leading the country towards more historic achievements,” Amu said paying rich tribute to Bangabandhu and congratulating Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of the party’s 66th founding anniversary.
The Industries Minister said the Sheikh Hasina’s government would be able to carry forward the country towards the status of a developed nation, a hunger-free Sonar Bangla, by 2041.
He, however, blamed the anti-liberation forces of distorting the real history of the War of Liberation, saying these elements have long been out with their evil design to turn the country into a hub of radicals and fundamentalists. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said, “Had Father of the Nation not been born on this soil, Bangladesh wouldn’t be an Independent country in the world history.” Awami Muslim League was renamed as Awami League to give it a secular identity, he said.
