Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday (23 June) warned if the opposition BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami return to power they will destroy the country.

"Bangladesh must be established as a developing nation. That is possible if only the Awami League remains in power. But those who illegally grabbed power and the terrorist parties like BNP and Jamaat who don't believe in the spirit of liberation will destroy this country," she said.

Hasina, also the ruling Awami League president, made the remarks after paying homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 this morning on the occasion of the party's 74th founding anniversary.

Highlighting the country's development success in different sectors under her government, she said if Awami League stays in power this country will be more developed and prosperous.

"We will develop a smart Bangladesh, a smart population, a smart economy by 2041 and the country will move forward," she stated.

The PM said her Awami League government has ensured food to the people, provided electricity to every house, illuminated every house with the light of education, reached healthcare service to their doorsteps up to the grassroots level, and improved the communication system through infrastructural development and ensured socio-economic advancement.

She said today Digital Bangladesh has been built and Wifi connection installed up to the grassroots level and the people now have technology and mobile phones in their hands.

PM Hasina said during 2009-2023 the country's poverty rate declined to 18% from 41% while the extreme poverty rate dropped to 5% from 25%.

The literacy rate has increased, the maternal mortality rate decreased, the child mortality rate dropped, and the average life expectancy is up, she added.

"Bangladesh has become known as a role model for development throughout the world today by constructing the Padma Bridge with its own financing as part of infrastructure development. Today, Bangladesh has gained the status of a developing country," she added.

Noting that Bangladesh is progressing in every sector including agriculture, science and health, the PM vowed to establish the country as a happy, prosperous Sonar Bangla, retaining the dignity gained for development and following the ideology of  Bangabandhu.

"Awami League is the only party which thinks for the welfare of the people," she said.

Turning to her party leaders and activists, the AL president said, "Let us pledge to change the fate of the people of Bangladesh and build the country as a Sonar Bangla (golden Bangla) as dreamt by the father of the nation."

Bangladesh Awami League was founded on 23 June, 1949.

After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memory of Bangabandhu.

Sheikh Hasina, flanked by senior party leaders, also paid tribute to Bangabandhu by placing another wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation on behalf of her party.

AL chief Sheikh Hasina along with AL general secretary Obaidul Quader inaugurated the day's programme by hoisting the national and party flags and releasing pigeons and balloons.