Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her target is to change the fate of the people of Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, was giving a speech at her party's office in Tungipara upazila, Gopalganj, while exchanging greetings and views with locals on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

The prime minister said the independence of the country was achieved under the leadership of her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangabandhu wanted to bring smiles to the faces of the people for which he announced the programs for a second revolution, she said.

Expressing her resentment over the assassination of her father along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975 and the killing of four national leaders inside Dhaka Central Jail on November 3 of the same year, she said the target of the killings was to halt the country's progress.

She said Bangabandhu was assassinated at a time when the country was advancing towards economic emancipation.

Sheikh Hasina, the lawmaker representing Gopalganj 3 (Tungipara and Kotalipara), credited the people of her constituency as they have shouldered her responsibilities as she has had to give more time to ensure the overall development of Bangladesh.

"Usually, the lawmakers from other constituencies only look after their respective constituency, while I have to work for development in all 300 constituencies. I have been able to do so as the Kotalipara and Tungipara residents have taken charge of my constituency," she said.

The premier said she roamed every part of the country after returning home following her exile to change the fortune of the people of Bangladesh.

"There is no region in Bangladesh that I have not travelled to. I used boats, sampans, launches and rickshaw vans to reach the remotest areas of the country.

“I travelled the country in such ways and I have taken Bangladesh to such a dignified position using experiences I had roaming around the country."

The prime minister wanted to hear the experiences of leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliates, and local representatives about the development of Tungipara.

When Sheikh Hasina expressed her desire to retire because of her age, locals requested her to stay on as prime minister for the welfare of the country and its people.

They expressed their desire to see her as the next prime minister and reiterated their strong commitment to working to help her party in the upcoming general election.

Earlier, the prime minister reached Kotalipara on Saturday morning after crossing the Padma Bridge following a three-hour car ride from Ganabhaban for her two-day visit to Kotalipara and Tungipara. 

PM's ICT Affairs Adviser and only son Sajeeb Wazed Joy accompanied her. 

The prime minister's presence in Tungipara added additional joy, enthusiasm and festivity among the local residents.

The entirety of Gopalganj was decorated with colourful posters, banners and placards to welcome the Premier.

On her arrival at the Kotalipara upazila Awami League office on Saturday, the premier planted several saplings there. 

She also inaugurated the newly constructed Kotalipara upazila Awami League office. 

Sheikh Hasina later exchanged greetings with leaders and activists of the local Awami League unit and its associate organizations, local representatives, and people of Kotalipara upazila on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Azha.

After completion of the programs, the premier went to Tungipara on Saturday afternoon and paid tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

The premier spent Saturday night in Tungipara. 

She is scheduled to leave Tungipara for Dhaka on Sunday afternoon.