Dhaka, Bangladesh—In the midst of a vast sea of supporters, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina delivered a stern message to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), cautioning them against playing with fire during the upcoming elections.

Addressing the BNP during the launch of Awami League's election campaign at Sylhet's Alia Madrasa Field, Hasina urged the public to fortify their resistance against bombings and arson attacks. Emphasizing the importance of the upcoming elections scheduled for January 7, she called upon the people to vote for the 'Boat,' referring to it as "Prophet Noah's Boat."

"This boat saved the human race, granting freedom and development to the people of Bangladesh. Vote for the Boat again and secure victory. No force can restrain Bangladesh," stated Hasina.

Speaking about her vision for the country's future, she expressed a commitment to building a technologically advanced Bangladesh, extending beyond the achievements of Digital Bangladesh. Hasina addressed the BNP's opposition to the election, accusing them of orchestrating violence and taking orders from individuals in London.

She dismissed attempts to disrupt the electoral process, stating, "The government cannot be ousted by setting fire to vehicles, and elections cannot be halted." Hasina asserted her resilience, stating, "I have lost everything, and the people are my everything. There's no point in trying to intimidate me."

Reflecting on events from 2001, Hasina recalled rejecting a proposal to sell Bangladesh's gas to the USA, alleging that this decision led to her party's exclusion from power. She attributed the subsequent misrule to the BNP's governance and criticized their actions, stating, "The BNP is burning people and destroying the country's wealth."

Highlighting the development initiatives undertaken during the Awami League's tenure, Hasina remarked on the transformation of Bangladesh into a Digital Bangladesh, with widespread access to mobile phones and internet services. She outlined the progress in Sylhet, including the upgrade of the Sylhet-Dhaka Highway to six lanes, modernization of the Osmani airport, and ongoing studies on the feasibility of a metro rail in Sylhet.

As she inaugurated her campaign in Sylhet, Hasina reminisced, "I started politics in Sylhet in 1981. Since then, I have always returned to Sylhet. This time, too, I commence my campaign from this historic city."