Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday morning paid deep homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing floral wreaths at the portrait of the great leader in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi‐32 in the capital marking the 68th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Awami League.

Sheikh Hasina first placed a floral wreath as the Prime Minister at the portrait of the greatest Bagalee of all times and stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of her respect to the memories of Bangabandhu.

Flanked by senior party leaders, Sheikh Hasina also laid another wreath as the party Chief at the portrait of the great leader.

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 Obaidul Quader, were present, among other party leaders, on the occasion.

Emerged on this day in 1949, Awami League has been transformed into a mass organisation of the people of the country by leading all the democratic‐political and socio‐cultural movements including the freedom struggle and the War of Liberation.

Although the country’s biggest political party was floated as Awami Muslim League at the historic Rose Garden at KM Das Lane in Dhaka, the word ‘Muslim’ was dropped at its 3rd council in 1955.