Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will address a rally in Rangpur city on Wednesday to drum up public support in favour of her party's electoral symbol "Boat" ahead of the next general election.
All is set to hold the divisional grand rally at the ground of the Rangpur Zila School at 2pm and the prime minister is expected to address the rally at 3pm, party sources said.
She is scheduled to arrive in Rangpur at 1:30pm by helicopter and is likely to leave the divisional town for Dhaka at 5:30pm.
Sheikh Hasina will address a rally at the same ground after a gap of 12 years. A stage has been prepared there in the shape of a boat.
At the rally, the prime minister will inaugurate 27 development schemes and lay the foundation stones for five other projects, including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Planetarium, involving about Tk 1,240 crore, to ensure the overall development of Rangpur.
Enthusiasm and festivity have been prevailing among the leaders and activists of the Awami League and its front and associate bodies across the Rangpur division, particularly in the divisional city. People of all strata are eagerly waiting to hear the prime minister at the rally.
After visiting the rally venue, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told reporters at the ground that they have taken all-out preparations to hold the largest-ever mass gathering in Rangpur's history.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will unfold the story of her dream regarding north Bengal Wednesday.
"No matter how much propaganda, mischief and conspiracy are being carried out against the Awami League government, 70 per cent of the people of the country, including Rangpur, will definitely vote for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the next general election if it is held peacefully."
Quader said they never use weapons to come to power as the people are their main strength. "So, we are not dependent on weapons. We do not believe in arson terrorism. Our strength is the people of the country."
To welcome the prime minister, the entire Rangpur has been decorated with several hundred arches, festoons, banners, placards and posters with pictures of the Father of the Nation and the prime minister.
Even lanes and by-lanes in the divisional town have also been decorated in a similar way.
