Dhaka— In a poignant address ahead of the 12th parliamentary election on January 7, Bangladesh Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina laid out her party's vision to transform the nation into a developed, prosperous, and smart country by 2041. 

Speaking at the unveiling of the party's election manifesto in a city hotel, Sheikh Hasina called upon the people of Bangladesh to forgive her government for past mistakes and entrust them with another opportunity to serve the nation.

Acknowledging the government's shortcomings over the last 15 years, Sheikh Hasina expressed humility, stating, "We acknowledge the mistakes made by the government over the last 15 years as our responsibility. The credits for success belong to you. We humbly ask for your forgiveness for our errors, pledging to learn from the past and strive to meet your expectations in the future."

With just 10 days remaining until the pivotal parliamentary election, Sheikh Hasina urged the electorate to vote for the boat symbol, the emblem of the Awami League. She emphasized, "Let’s give us a chance once again to serve you by voting for the boat symbol. You vote for us, we will give you development, peace, and prosperity."

Highlighting the historic achievements of the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina underscored the party's pivotal role in significant milestones, including securing the right to speak in the mother tongue and leading the nation to victory in the liberation war. Looking ahead, she outlined a bold vision, asserting that Bangladesh would become an upper-middle-income country by 2031, paving the way for a developed, prosperous, and smart Bangladesh under the leadership of the Awami League.

Addressing the challenges posed by the country's imminent transition from a least developed to a developing nation, Sheikh Hasina asserted, "The government to be elected through the 7-January polls must have the ability to face that challenge. Only the Awami League has the ability to handle challenges and take the country to a new height."

In a deeply personal reflection, Sheikh Hasina shared her commitment to fulfilling the dreams of her father, stating, "As long as Allah keeps me alive, I won’t deviate from what I have accepted as my duty. I want to fulfill the dream of my father by serving you." She recounted the sacrifices made, noting, "I came to politics after losing my parents, brothers, and relatives, only to accomplish the unfinished works of my father to put a smile on the face of the people of the country. I had to be on the verge of being dead several times in doing so. However, I never did move away thinking about you and my father."

As the nation approaches this critical electoral juncture, Sheikh Hasina's address sets the stage for a compelling political contest, where promises of development, peace, and prosperity vie for the electorate's endorsement.