C T Online Desk: The country’s oldest political party Awami League (AL) is set to celebrate its 75th founding anniversary, platinum jubilee, today.
Overcoming numerous crises through a long struggle since its birth, the party is moving forward at an indomitable speed and celebrating its platinum jubilee when it is in power for the fourth consecutive term.
Bangladesh has reached a unique height now in terms of development and achievement under the leadership of the party. The country is set to graduate from the Least Developed Country status and officially become a “Developing Country” by the end of 2026.
Established as Awami Muslim League on 23 June, 1949 at Rose Garden in the capital’s old town, was later renamed Awami League by adopting secular politics.
AL, which led the country’s War of Independence in 1971, is now leading the nation’s economic development.
Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina on Saturday urged her party men to remain prepared to thwart any kind of ill-activity and conspiracy against the country’s continued development and democracy.
In a message issued to mark the party’s founding anniversary, she recalled its contribution in the birth of Bangladesh and all democratic movements of the nation.
Sheikh Hasina said, “Anti-liberation communal groups and anti-democracy and anti-development domestic and foreign evil forces are still hatching conspiracies in various ways. I call upon the leaders and workers at all levels of the party to be ready to protect the continuity of development and democracy by confronting any conspiracy of this evil force unitedly.”
Marking the day, she recalled with respect the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She recalled AL’s founder President Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani and General Secretary Shamsul Haq. Hasina recalled with respect Hussein Shaheed Suhrawardy.
She also recalled with respect the four national leaders, and all martyrs of struggles for freedom, Liberation War and struggles for democracy and all leaders and activists of AL who had embraced martyrdom to turn the party into the largest organisation of the masses.
On this occasion, the AL president greeted the party leaders, activists and supporters alongside the countrymen.
Massive programmes have been chalked out to commemorate the party’s 75th founding anniversary. Banner-festoons and billboards covered the entire capital. It depicts the history and traditions of the party as well as the mega projects of the government led by the party. The programmes include hoisting of national and party flags at central and countrywide party offices at dawn, paying tributes at Bangabandhu’s portrait in front of the Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7:00 am at the historic road Dhanmondi-32.
Marking the day, a discussion will be held at Suhrawardy Udyan at 3:00 pm followed by a cultural event. AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over the discussion.
Besides, a cultural programme will be held at Rabindra Sarobar and boat race and cycle procession will be arranged at Hatirjheel in the capital.
At the same time, a delegation of AL Central Working Committee will pay rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mausoleum at Tungipara in Gopalganj.
Earlier, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader announced a three-day programme to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary.
The founding anniversary of the country’s oldest political party will be celebrated at each union and ward as well.
Meanwhile, the ruling party arranged a colourful procession marking the 75th founding anniversary on Friday. The entire capital turned into a city of procession as thousands of people from every strata of life joined the procession.
