Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said 70% of the people of the country are looking forward to voting for Sheikh Hasina. So conspiracies are being hatched to get rid of her.

"Sheikh Hasina is the most popular Bangladeshi leader in the last 48 years. The country is developing today. Padma Bridge, Metro Rail [has been built]," he said while addressing a rally organised by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), student wing of AL, at Suhrawardi Udyan in memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib on Friday (1 September).

"70% of the people of the country are looking forward to voting for Sheikh Hasina. So conspiracies are being hatched to get rid of her," Quader added.

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina attended the rally at 3.42pm on Friday.

Earlier, addressing the rally, BCL General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan said his organisation will continue working to make the ruling Awami League victorious in the next parliamentary election.

"Boat is the sign of youth. The activists of Chhatra League are on the street. Keeping the march of youth at the front, BCL will work to make Awami League victorious in the next election under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said.

Thousands of BCL leaders and activists joined the grand rally through three gates near Kali Temple, Bangla Academy and TSC.

The entire Suhrawardy Udyan is filled with processions with BCL activists chanting slogans.

Additional members of police have been deployed in nearby areas. Besides patrolling, they are searching everyone before letting them into the venue.

BCL hopes that it is going to be a historic gathering as students from across the country are expected to participate in the rally to give an ultimatum to BNP-Jamaat, the external enemies of this country and people, war criminals, militants and terrorists, said BCL leaders.

BCL President Saddam Hussein chaired the rally.

Speaking at a press conference earlier, Saddam said, "Our politics is based on ideals and rules of the constitution. We do not believe in the politics of violence.

"The students and the representatives of the young generation will express their disbelief against anti-liberation forces," Saddam added.