Awami League's Ctg rally begins; PM Hasina to arrive at venue soon
Awami League's mass rally in the port city of Chattogram, which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to address in the afternoon, has begun.
Senior local ruling party leaders are currently delivering speeches. Awami League President Sheikh Hasina is yet to arrive at the rally ground.
The premier reached Chattogram for her public rally in the district after a gap of over 10 years earlier in the day.
A helicopter carrying the premier landed at the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) in Bhatiary at around 10am.
She then attended the President Parade-2022 and reviewed a smartly turned-out parade and took salute at the march past as the chief guest.
The second-largest city is all set to welcome the Awami League (AL) chief amid festivity and some 10 lakh people are expected to join the rally.
She will deliver her speech from a 160-feet, boat-shaped stage. Chattogram City Unit Awami League has organised the rally at the Polo Ground, a major venue for a big gathering.
Tens of thousands of party leaders and activists have already gathered at the rally venue. This morning, processions were seen passing through different areas of the city every now and then.
The participants in the procession held the party symbol "boat" and photos of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his daughter Sheikh Hasina.
Speaking with The Business Standard, Chattogram city unit Awami League general secretary and former mayor AJM Nasir Uddin said, "The Awami League chief will talk about the national important issues and local issues during today's (4 December) rally at the Polo Ground.
"Sheikh Hasina will seek votes for boat and at the same time she will respond to all the anarchy BNP is responsible for in the name of their rallies."
Meanwhile, the number of public transport on the streets of the port city has gone down significantly as the ruling party and its affiliated organisations have rented most of the vehicles for the rally.
Commuters, mainly students and office goers, found it very difficult to reach their desired destinations due to the scarcity of public transport.
Abul Mansoor, who runs a business in the city's New Market area, said, "It has been over an hour but I could not find a bus. I don't know how will I attend my shop today."
HSC examinee Sharmin Naznin was waiting for a CNG for half an hour.
She said, "I always take a CNG ride to my exam centre and reach on time. But today I am yet to manage any transportation."
The government has taken massive development schemes for Chattogram which is now under implementation.
Sheikh Hasina will also inaugurate 30 development projects here today.
She will address the rally at Railway Pologround at 3pm.
Colourful arches and gates have been constructed on various roads of the town with the posters and banners of the premier.
Billboards, banners, balloons, festoons and posters welcoming the prime minister and the party chief have been hung in city.
Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has carried out beautification works on different roads ahead of the rally, including cleaning and painting footpaths, decorating flyovers with colourful lights and repairing dilapidated roads in different areas.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has taken strict security measures marking the rally.
Three layers of security have been ensured throughout the city.
Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and armed forces are deployed along with 7,500 police members, said CMP Commissioner Krishnapad Roy.
Hasina plans to visit different districts in stages before the 12th national election. As part of this, the first public meeting was held at Jashore Stadium.
Through the public rally in Jashore, the election campaign of the ruling party began.
On 7 December, she will address another party rally at the Sheikh Kamal Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar.
