Rangpur, the northern divisional city of Bangladesh, has taken on a colourful and festive look ahead of the visit of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday.
There has been a lot of enthusiasm among the people of Rangpur division for the last couple of days centering on the arrival of Sheikh Hasina, as the three-consecutive-term Prime Minister of Bangladesh is revered in the area as ‘Rangpur’s Bride’.
Premier Sheikh Hasina married the late scientist MA Wazed Miah, who hailed from Pirganj of Rangpur district, in 1968. The people of Rangpur have referred to her as Rangpur’s Bride ever since.
Sheikh Hasina last visited Rangpur before the 11th national election as part of her election campaign in December 2018. She conducted election rallies in Taraganj and Pirganj, but did not hold any rallies in Rangpur city.
Sheikh Hasina addressed Rangpur city’s Zila School ground in February 2011, and Wednesday’s rally is set to be held at the same venue more than a decade later.
JaPa-Ershad leaders also set to welcome PM Hasina
On a visit to Rangpur city two days ago, Dhaka Tribune found not only the Awami League but also Rangpur-based leaders of the opposition Jatiya Party (JaPa-Ershad) ready to welcome PM Hasina with colourful banners, festoons, and arches.
Md Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, the mayor of Rangpur City Corporation and also president of Rangpur city Jatiya Party, told Dhaka Tribune he would join the Prime Minister’s rally with his supporters as Sheikh Hasina is “Rangpur’s Bride” and the premier of Bangladesh.
Apart from political leaders, members of the Chamber of Commerce, professionals, and social and cultural activists are preparing for the prime minister’s visit.
1 million people expected to join the rally
Central and local Awami League leaders of Rangpur division have made extensive preparations to make this rally one of the biggest rallies of the party.
State Minister Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, who is a lawmaker of the nearby Dinajpur district, has been in Rangpur for the last couple of days to arrange the divisional rally successfully along with other central and local leaders of the Awami League.
“We have got the message that a huge number of people will join the rally. The entire city of Rangpur will be flooded with the enthusiastic followers of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
Jahangir Kabir Nanak, presidium member of the Awami League, said: “We are expecting more than one million people to join the Rangpur rally.”
Awami League Joint General Secretary and Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said: “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is coming to Rangpur tomorrow (Wednesday). Although the rally will be held at the Zila school ground, this rally will spread over 10 kilometres of Rangpur city. This grand gathering of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will create history in Bangladesh.”
Law enforcement agencies have taken tight security measures ahead of the rally.
No 'Monga' in Rangpur, Hasina has sent Monga to the museum
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader went from Dhaka to Rangpur along with senior Awami League lawmaker Sheikh Helal Uddin Ahmed and visited the rally ground yesterday. Afterwards, he spoke to journalists.
Quader said that the Awami League’s election campaign will commence through the grand public meeting at Rangpur.
“A huge crowd will come here and the northern city of the country will become a city of processions and rallies [Tuesday],” he added.
"This public meeting is a part of our election campaign for the 12th national election. Bangabandhu's daughter, Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will make an important speech in Rangpur Division. Through this, she will highlight the current and future plans for the region," the AL general secretary further said.
Quader said that the difference between the Rangpur of 15 years ago and today's Rangpur is like the difference between the sky and the deep ocean.
“Now there is no 'Monga' in Rangpur. Sheikh Hasina has sent Monga to the museum,” he said.
Monga refers to an extreme situation driven by poverty and hunger for several months a year.
Quader said: "There has been a lot of development in this area. A six-lane road has been constructed from Dhaka to Rangpur. Now 18 flights take off from Saidpur Airport every day. There has been extensive trade and commerce around the Banglabandha land port.
“There has been massive development in every district. 100% electricity has been ensured in every area of this region. This achievement belongs to Sheikh Hasina."
"No matter how much chaos and scheming they [the BNP and its allies] do, Sheikh Hasina will win again if there is a peaceful election. Seventy per cent of people across the country are eager to vote for Sheikh Hasina," he added.
PM bringing 32 development projects
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate 27 development schemes and lay the foundation stones of five others, including the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novotheatre, in the district during her visit.
The projects will be implemented across Rangpur division at a total cost of around TK 1,240 crore.
According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the premier will leave Dhaka for Rangpur by helicopter at 12 noon. She will land at the Rangpur Cantonment helipad, and then hold a meeting with top divisional government officials at the Rangpur Circuit House.
After a lunch break, the prime minister will join the rally arranged by Rangpur district and city Awami League at 3:30pm.
PM Hasina will fly back to Dhaka at around 5:30pm.
