Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday directed Awami League grassroots leaders and activists to resolve their internal conflicts as the next general election will be very tough for the party.

‘Still, there’re conflicts in our party in some places... these conflicts will have to be resolved. You’ll have to keep in mind that the next election will be very tough,’ she said while addressing a party meeting at her official residence Ganobhaban, reports the UNB.

Awami League arranged the special extended meeting (Phase-III) with the participation of union-level AL presidents and general secretaries, and union parishad chairmen from Rangpur, Khulna, Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions.

Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League President, presided over the meeting.

She asked the party men to take preparation for the next national election and work in a united way in favour of the candidates of boat, the AL’s election symbol, in the polls.

‘You’ll have to work together for those whoever will get the boat symbol so that it doesn’t suffer defeat in the election,’ she said asking them to prepare and not to compromise the party’s victory in any constituency.

Hasina asked the grassroots leaders to publicise the development works done by the government and strengthen the party in their respective areas.

She also said the AL-led alliance will have to be protected in the polls..’We’ve formed the alliance. The alliance must be upheld.’

She said Awami League is committed to ensuring that there will be no homeless, unfed and uneducated person in Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, everyone will get healthcare services and improved lifestyle as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina said.

‘Raise theses (commitments) among the people of every village and tell them that they got benefits voting Awami League in power. The election will be held in December next. You’ll have to appeal to people to vote for boat in this election,’ she said pointing at her party’s grassroots leaders.

Hasina asked the union-level Awami League leaders and activists to help reach different social security allowances, including old age and widow allowances to people properly focusing on different development works, during her government.

The Prime Minister said today Bangladesh has become a role model for development in the world as Awami League has been in power for the last nine and half years consecutively.

‘Power is not a matter of relishing to me or a matter of making fortune. Power is for serving people and doing their welfare...and improving their lifestyle,’ she said.

Criticising BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, the Prime Minister said she does not appear before the court in graft cases pretending to be sick.

Hasina said Khaleda Zia looted the money of orphans and went to jail being convicted by the court. ‘Seasoned BNP lawyers in BNP failed to prove that Khaleda Zia didn’t commit corruption, she added.

The Prime Minister said FBI officials are ready to testify that Khaleda Zia committed corruption.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader delivered the welcome speech, while AL Office Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap read out obituary references at the meeting.

Members of the AL Presidium and AL Central Working Committee and AL Advisory Council, ward-level Awami League presidents and general secretaries as well as ward councillors of the city corporations in the four divisions also attended the meeting.