Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday distributed Tk12 crore in government incentives to 38,970 sugarcane farmers in Rajshahi during a rally at the historic Madrasa Ground.
Tarique arrived at Shah Makhdum Airport in Rajshahi at 3pm and went directly to the rally, reaching the venue around 3:30pm.
Pressing a button on a laptop while seated on the stage, he launched the distribution of the funds. The money was transferred to the farmers’ bank accounts, and they received SMS notifications confirming the deposits.
During the first part of the rally, the prime minister announced the incentive distribution and later handed over symbolic cheques to 15 sugarcane farmers representing the country’s 15 sugar mills.
BNP lawmakers and party leaders addressed the gathering after the distribution programme.
Tarique’s first Rajshahi visit as PM
This was Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Rajshahi since taking office as prime minister.
His late arrival prompted changes to the day’s initial itinerary. His scheduled visit to the Rajshahi Dharmasabha Temple in Ganakpara and lunch break at the circuit house were cancelled.
According to the original schedule, he was due to arrive in Rajshahi at around 1:15pm before visiting the temple and taking a break at the circuit house ahead of the rally.
Extensive preparations ahead of visit
Authorities and BNP leaders made extensive preparations across Rajshahi over the past several days ahead of the prime minister’s visit.
Roads along his route from the airport and elsewhere in the city were repaired, resurfaced and painted. Murals were painted on walls, drains were repaired, and hawkers were removed from several footpaths as part of efforts to clean up the route.
A large stage was built at the historic Madrasa Ground, and uneven sections of the field were levelled. BNP leaders and activists were present at the venue over the past several days to oversee preparations.
Although the rally was scheduled to begin in the afternoon, BNP leaders and activists started gathering in different parts of the city in the morning. Processions from various areas headed towards the venue, and the field was filled by around 2:30pm.
National and local BNP leaders began delivering speeches from the stage before the prime minister arrived.
Officials welcome prime minister
Rajshahi-3 MP Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon, Rajshahi-5 MP Professor Nazrul Islam, Rajshahi Development Authority Chairman Abul Kalam Azad Sweet, Divisional Commissioner Md Yusuf Ali, Rajshahi Range Deputy Inspector General Md Ashik Saeed, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Faizul Kabir, Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam and Superintendent of Police Md Mamun Or Rashid were among those who welcomed the prime minister at the airport.
After concluding his Rajshahi visit, Tarique was scheduled to leave for Chittagong aboard a military aircraft.
Earlier on Tuesday, he visited the Radha Gobinda Temple in Rangpur and addressed a roadside gathering there.
Crowds line Rajshahi-Naogaon highway
Thousands of people lined both sides of the Rajshahi-Naogaon highway from the morning, waiting for a glimpse of the prime minister.
Some carried national flags, while others held BNP flags. Men, women, children and party activists stood along the road, watching for his arrival.
Crowds gathered at several points along the highway to welcome Tarique, creating a festive atmosphere across the city.
