BSS, Kishoreganj :
President M Abdul Hamid on Tuesday urged all to forge unity and remain alert against the influence of money and muscle power in elections that impinges democracy.
“Remain alert against the use of money and muscle power in elections . . . People will exercise voting rights to elect their representatives, but they must elect competent candidates,” he told a function at Katiadi Pilot Model High School, Katiadi here as part of its platinum jubilee celebration.
The President said the public leaders have immense responsibilities to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level while people have the key role in choosing capable candidates in the elections.
Abdul Hamid also called for strengthening the unity to uphold the spirit of Liberation War and foil the conspiracies of anti-independence and anti-nation elements.
Terming the Sholakia Eid congregation as the pride of the area, he said a group of miscreants and militants tarnished the customary image of Sholakia by unleashing terrors.
The President said all people, irrespective of party affiliation, opinion and caste, must come forward jointly against militancy and terrorism so that no evil force can hamper the communal harmony and development trend of the country.
“If we can do it, the country will be turned into a ‘Sonar Bangla’ as envisioned by the Father of the Nation,” he said.
Mentioning his long 60-year political background, Abdul Hamid said he had to face many difficulties to reach the present position. “I learnt many things from common people. I salute them.”
“I want to spend the rest of my life for the welfare of the country and people,” said he.
He urged the affluent people of the society to extend their ‘hands of humanity and cooperation’ to the common people, particularly the under-privileged and oppressed ones.
Noting tremendous progress of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the President said, “Bangladesh is now a role model of development across the world.”
He advised the students to become more knowledgeable, honest and brave to face the competitive world and work for materializing the “Digital Bangladesh Concept”.
The President stressed the need for flourishing democracy and for political stability to ensure sustainable development, saying, “Tolerance, mutual respect and strengthening all democratic institutions help flourish democracy.”
Abdul Hamid urged all to work unitedly in the greater interest of the country and its people.
Katiadi High School Managing Committee Chairman Mohammad Suhrab Uddin, MP, presided over the function.
Engineer Rejwan Ahammad Taufiq, MP, Kishoreganj Zila Parishad Chairman Advocate M Zillur Rahman, former secretary of the government Shafiq Alam, Katiadi upazila chairman Abdul Wahid Ayenuddin, School Managing Committee member Gias Uddiin Ahmed, among others, also spoke at the function followed by a cultural programme.
Earlier in the day, the President laid foundation stones of some development projects at Katiadi of the upazila.
