Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday warned all aspirants of her party in the next general election of the consequences of carrying out propaganda against each other while seeking nomination, saying such bad practice would disqualify them to get party ticket, reports BSS.

Urging her party men to abandon mud sliding against the sitting parliament members or any rival candidate within the party, she said instead, everybody should focus on the development works of the government to woo the voters apart from speaking about the possible danger of returning BNP and their cohorts to power like 2001.

Sheikh Hasina announced that no aspirant engaged in spreading propaganda within the party would get party ticket in the upcoming election.

“Every aspirant should understand that such propaganda against rivals within the party would ultimately ruin votes of the party,” she said.

Addressing a Special Extended Meeting of Bangladesh Awami League at Gonobhaban yesterday, the premier urged all the party leaders and workers to reach the messages of development of the government to the people.

“People should be informed of our activities we have already done for them and what we would do in the future. Your failure to do this perfectly would be catastrophic for the party and the country as well,” she said.

The Prime Minister asked the lawmakers of the party to be corrected before the time is exhausted and work together with dedicated workers to acquire public support in their constituencies.

“Your ticket would certainly depend on your popularity,

services to the people and relation with grassroots workers,” she said. She also urged the party lawmakers to remain aware of the opportunist elements and notorious criminals who have taken shelter under the umbrella of the ruling party, saying many of them have come to make their own fortune and safe themselves from justice.

Party should not be a sanctuary for those who are accused of arson attacks or any criminal acts, Sheikh Hasina said, calling upon the lawmakers to leave them just now as they may commit any occurrence ahead of the next general election.

“Awami League was not founded to help its followers accumulate wealth. The party was born to serve the people. So, lawmakers must be sympathetic to dedicated party workers, not to any opportunists,” she said.

The Prime Minister said her government has done more than its commitment given to the people before the elections in 2009 and 2014. “Awami League keeps its words that it gives to the people and this message should be reached to the people.”

She said Bangladesh was liberated at the cost of the blood of millions of people who cherished the dream of building a happy and prosperous nation. “We should be careful so that their dreams don’t go to the edge of destruction again.”

Sheikh Hasina said her government has accomplished the daunting task of the trial of the war criminals and the killers of Bangabandhu. “It’s the duty of the AL leaders and workers to provide all security of witnesses of those cases,” she said.

She announced that her party would again go for an alliance with like- minded parties in the next election. So, Awami League leaders should be ready for sacrifice, she said.

As the biggest and most popular political party, the Prime Minister said, the Awami League has some responsibilities. Leaders and workers of the party should not be allured to make their own fortune, but dedicate at best their lives for the country so that Awami League can form the government again, she said.

“It’s not a matter who has got the nomination. AL leaders and workers must work with the candidates who would get party nomination…you have to go to people to seek vote for boat,” Sheikh Hasina said.

AL President Sheikh Hasina also paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking the 69th founding anniversary of AL yesterday. She placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32.

After laying the wreath, the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation. Later, Sheikh Hasina placed another wreath at the Bangabandhu’s portrait as the party chief.

Senior leaders of the party, including Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Awami League Presidium Member Advocate Sahara Khatun and Road Transport and Bridges Minister and general secretary of the party Obaidul Quader, were present on the occasion.

In another programme, Sheikh Hasina opened the newly-constructed central office building of her party in the capital. The 10-storey building at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue was launched, coinciding the 69th founding anniversary of the party yesterday.

The launching ceremony started with the hoisting of National Flag and the party flag by the Prime Minister and AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader respectively. The National Anthem was also played at that time.

Later, Sheikh Hasina released pigeons and balloons. She also planted a Bakul sapling in front of the building.

Hasina flanked by the party’s central leaders entered the new office building and visited its different rooms.

Senior AL leaders, including its General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Food Minister Qamrul Islam, AL Presidium Member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim were present.

Party sources said the new office building is equipped with modern facilities, including a conference hall, seminar room, digital library, prayer room, restrooms, VIP lounge, journalists lounge, cafeteria, dormitories, lift and a parking lot. Also, there are separate floors for the party president and general secretary.

A mural of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is on the upper side of the building. ‘Joy Bangla Joy Bangabandhu’ slogan has been inscribed on the front wall of the building.

There are also offices of Jubo League, Mahila League, Krishak League, Swechhasebak League and Chhatra League in the building. Of the 10 floors, seven floors will be used for organisational works.