<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday sought vote for her party's electoral symbol 'boat,' in the upcoming general election.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>"Awami League has brought the country's independence, given its economic emancipation, socio-economic development and arranged food, clothes and accommodation for the people of the country. So, vote for boat in the next election," she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier made this call while exchanging greetings with local leaders of Awami League and its associate bodies, local public representatives at AL Kotalipara upazila office here in the district on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.</div><div><br></div><div>The next general election in Bangladesh is likely to be held end of this year or early next year.</div><div><br></div><div>Hasina, also the AL president, said her goal is to change the fate of the people of this country. "Our goals are to ensure education, healthcare services, to make socio-economic development of the people and infrastructural development," she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Throwing a challenge to those who never wanted AL to come to power, the PM said she must fulfill the goals for which her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made the country independent.</div><div><br></div><div>Noting that her government has brightened the image of the country throughout the world, the PM blasted those who don't notice any development.</div><div><br></div><div>"I have nothing to say about those who are blind despite having eyes. They don't see but enjoy these (the benefits of development)," she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier, she opened the newly constructed office of Kotalipara Upazila Awami League.</div><div><br></div><div>On arrival at the office the premier planted three saplings of Mango, Bakul (Spanish Cherry) and Neem (Margosal) trees.</div><div><br></div><div>PM Hasina arrived at Kotalipara by road at 11:27am amid sunny weather.</div><div><br></div><div>Earlier she started from her official residence Ganabhaban in the morning on a two-day visit to her home district Gopalganj.</div><div><br></div><div>PM's ICT Affairs Adviser and son Sajeeb Wazed Joy accompanied her</div><div><br></div><div>Gopalganj district wore a festive look with colourful posters, banners and placards adorning particularly the road she used to reach the programme venues.</div><div><br></div><div>During exchange of the Eid greetings, many local AL leaders and public representatives expressed their heartfelt thanks to the prime minister for giving them chances to share their feelings before her.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>They also wished her victory in the next election to become five-time prime minister for the sake of the further development of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>In response, the premier asked them to pray for her so that she can serve the people.</div><div><br></div><div>AL Advisory Council Member Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed was present on the dais while Kotalipara Upazila AL General Secretary Aynal Hossain Sheikh conducted the function.</div><div><br></div><div>After attending the events the PM departed Kotalipara for Tungipara in the afternoon.</div><div><br></div><div>At Tungipara, she paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreath at his mausoleum. According to UNB reports</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>