A number of educationalists, actors, actresses, musicians, singers, artists, sports personalities and civil society members participated in the ruling Awami League's electioneering at Dhaka's Central Shaheed Minar on Thursday.
The Awami League Publicity and Publication Sub-Committee, on behalf of the party, formally inaugurated the election campaign for the 11th parliamentary election.
Hasan Imam, Shomi Kaiser, Zahid Hassan, Aruna Biswas, Simon, Mahfuz Khan, Shakil Khan, Rokeya Prachi, Ajmeri Haque Bandhan, Tarin Jahan, Sweetie, Raisul Islam, Tareq Sujat, and singer SD Rubel were present. Sports personalities Abdul Gaffer, Satyajit Das Rupu, and Badal Ray also joined the campaign.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, speaking as the chief guest, said: "The response for Boat from the general public seems like 1971. The participation of the cultural personalities added a new dimension to the campaign for the polls. The defeated forces of '71 will be the losers in the upcoming election, because of the participation of the masses."
Prominent actors Mahfuz Ahmed and Zahid Hasan endorse the Awami League during an election campaign at Dhaka's Central Shaheed Minar on December 13, 2018 | Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
Referring to the campaign as a matter of spirit and passion, he said: "This consciousness has come here because of emotional values. Awami League will be the winner in the next election."
He called for the people to avoid the defeated power of 1971 as they can't win the elections in 2018.
Distinguished playwright Hasan Imam, speaking on behalf of the artists present, said: "We are always on the side of Awami League, because Awami League favours the freedom fighters. In addition, the struggles of artists began with the political struggles in 1971. The artists played a vital role in the Liberation War."
Awami League Publication Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud was also present at the program.
The day's program at the Shahid Minar began with the national anthem. Later, a documentary on the various development activities of the government in the last 10 years was screened.
A video on the violent activities of BNP-Jamaat to foil the trial of war criminals was also screened.