Here is an election-related PR Pitch from the "Centre for Research and Information" which is a Awami League-related thinktank. I believe they make a good case for themselves but final decision is of course yours.
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https://opinion.bdnews24.com/2018/12/24/why-we-should-keep-sheikh-hasina-in-power/
Why we should keep Sheikh Hasina in power
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 10 years in power (2008-18) has seen phenomenal economic growth and human development that has turned Bangladesh, once derisively described as ‘a basket case’ by Henry Kissinger, into one of Asia’s fastest growing economies.
As her ruling Awami League faces a relatively united opposition in the Dec 30 parliament polls, Hasina seems confident that the ‘performance will be reflected in the ballot box’.
Talking about her vision to turn Bangladesh into a middle income country by 2021 – the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s troubled birth—the 71–year grandmother has made it clear she wants her people to vote her back to power to ‘accelerate the speed of development”.
“If we are elected again, we will do everything possible to ensure we grow at 10 percent per annum for the next three years,” she said in an exclusive interview with Nikkei Asian Review. (https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Exclusive-Bangladesh-aims-for-10-annual-growth)
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Bangladesh’s poverty rate fell from 82 percent in 1972, to 17.6 percent in 2010 and 12.9 percent in 2016, as measured by the percentage of people living below the extreme poverty line. (https://bdnews24.com/economy/2017/10/18/poverty-rate-has-dropped-to-24.3-percent-bbs-surveys)
Based on the current rate of poverty reduction, Bangladesh is projected to eliminate extreme poverty by 2021, the first nation in South Asia to do so. (https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...reme-poverty-by-2021/articleshow/66484544.cms)
Hasina’s economic model is one of inclusive development and is reflected in superb human development indicators.
Just one example – in 2018, its female labor force participation rate is 45 percent, while net female school enrolment rate stands at staggering 98 percent. The World Economic Forum ranks Bangladesh the most gender equal nation in South Asia (ranked 47th, followed by Maldives 106th; India 108th). (https://bdnews24.com/economy/2018/1...asia-on-world-economic-forum-gender-gap-index)
On the global front, the US-China trade war is driving many producers to countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam and Hasina is unwilling to let go the opportunity. She plans to set up 100 special economic zones, of which 11 are ready and 79 are under construction. (https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Cover-Story/The-rise-and-rise-of-Bangladesh)
The $3.9 billion railroad bridge on the turbulent Padma river , financed by Bangladesh’s own resources after Hasina cancelled World Bank funding, will be completed next year. Economists say it will connect 21 southern districts to the capital region and add 1.5 percent to GDP growth.
“This bridge has given Bangladeshis huge pride and much in self-esteem.. It is more than just infrastructure.”
From nuclear power plants to ports to roads and bridges over turbulent rivers, Hasina’s government has initiated an ambitious infrastructure development plan, financed by both China ($38 billion) and India (nearly $10 billion) and global institutions and sometimes by its own resources. (https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangla.../rise-of-bangladesh-an-economic-success-story)
The number of power plants has grown to 121 from 27, while access to electricity has risen to 93 percent of the 166 million population from 47 percent. Hasina has pledged 100 percent access to electricity by the middle of next year. Russia and India are building the country’s first nuclear plant in Rooppur in western Bangladesh.
Hasina has deftly balanced relations between China and India, the West and the Islamic world, crushed Islamist terrorism and streamlined the country’s labour exports, making remittances the second biggest source of foreign exchange after garments.
“No leader in South Asia is so committed to development as Hasina,” says veteran Bangladesh watcher Sukhoranjan Dasgupta, who knew her father, the assassinated founder of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“She is every inch her father’s daughter, determined to make possible his dream of Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal),” says Dasgupta, during a discussion with the writer.
With the Price Waterhouse Coopers predicting Bangladesh to be one of the three fastest growing economies in the next two decades, Hasina expectedly talks ‘ development and only development” in election rallies . (https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangla...h-will-among-top-3-fastest-growing-economies/)
Her partymen warn voters that an Awami League defeat could mean an end to growth and a “return to the dark days of 2001-06” when the BNP-Jaamat e Islami coalition ruled the country and terrorism and violence peaked.
Growth has lifted millions out of poverty and gave the per capita income a meteoric rise (149 percent under her rule between 2009 and 2018) , one needs political commitment and stability. Hasina and Awami League provides that stability and commitment to growth that will finally help Bangladesh to graduate from LDC in 2024.(https://www.dhakatribune.com/busine...er-capita-income-increases-by-149-in-10-years)
As poet Percy Bysshe Shelley said, if winter comes, can spring be far behind! If development comes, democracy cannot be far behind. A poor nation anchored in a feudal society will evolve into a strong democracy as development lifts millions out of poverty and rising incomes gives the down trodden the confidence to assert politically. Awami League keenly looks forward to a vibrant opposition but the culture of impunity and nexus with terror reflected in the Aug 21 2004 grenade attack (a replica of the 1975 coup) must end and the culprits must be punished. Punishment for the perpetrators of such horrendous crimes does not threaten democracy but reinforces it. This is what the global players should understand!
Would any Western nation allow such criminals who want to stamp out political opposition by dastardly murderous attacks go scot-free! If someone in US was responsible to attempt to kill the prime minister or someone in UK was found guilty of killing such a leader, would Washington or London accept if such a person found shelter in Dhaka! Is it not a blot on western democracy that proven war criminals or those responsible for attempting to liquidate the entire leadership of Awami League move around with their heads high in London!
The stink that the opposition is trying to raise on these trials — both for 1971 war crimes or the 1975 coup or the 2004 grenade attack — is an attempt to cover its own past , so that they can pose as saviours of democracy. Nothing is more preposterous than to imagine Tarique Rahman as a saviour of democracy when the US envoy in 2005-6 had described him as a criminal, as evident from WikiLeaks, portrayed him as image of ‘kleptocratic govt’, seen him as serious threat to US interests in Bangladesh and recommended that he be denied US visa. (https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-201716)
When prestigious and credible western organisations like International Republican Institute or Economist Intelligence Unit predict a comfortable Awami League victory, the opposition is silent. Not many developing nations have achieved the kind of speedy growth in economy and human development as Bangladesh has under Hasina in the last ten years and it is only expected that the people will reward her for this in the election slated just a week ahead. (https://bdnews24.com/politics/2018/...na-are-more-popular-than-bnp-khaleda-us-study) (http://www.thefinancialexpress.com....icts-election-win-for-awami-league-1544613038)
Very correct. Fully agree. Once upon a time, BD was on the verge of loosing it to fundamentalists. Full credit to Hasina who drew BD to the path of progress and wellness.
