UNB, Khulna :
Streets and important points of Khulna city have been adorned with banners, festoons, and digital displays to welcome Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who is set to address a public rally here tomorrow (November 13, 2023).
Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, will inaugurate 22 development projects tomorrow at Khulna’s Circuit House field with a likely turnout of lakhs of people.
On the occasion, the city has taken on a festive look, and AL leaders, activists as well as general people are eagerly awaiting the premier’s visit.
A 90 meter long and 40 meter wide stage has been erected for the programme from where the PM will address a rally.
Stringent measures have been taken by law enforcement agencies to ensure fool proof security at the venue.
Over 200 arches have been set up on several streets to welcome Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the city.
Local Awami League insiders said they held several meetings to make tomorrow’s event a success and central leaders have overseen the preparations several times.
Party activists and leaders are busy wooing people to join the rally through online and offline publicity.
Awami League supporters have already brought out processions in favour of the rally throughout the Khulna division.
Khulna City unit Awami League President Talukder Abdul Khaleque, also mayor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC), told UNB that female AL activists will stay in Circuit House while men will be on the streets around the field.
Besides, sound systems will be on at the city’s Customs Ghat to Shibbari, Jail Khana Ghat, Sadar Thana Mor, Hadis Park and Haji Mohsin Road, he said.
The premier’s speech will be screened on LED monitors at several spots including Shibbari Mor, the mayor said.
City chapter AL General Secretary Babul Rana said preparations were made to accommodate 10 lakh people from 10 districts under Khulna division.
Mozammel Hoque, commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), said law enforcers will remain deployed at the programme venue.
CCTV cameras have been set up in and around the Circuit House field and the whole city was covered under fool proof security measures, the KMP commissioner added.
Khulna Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque hoped that the public rally at Circuit House ground will turn into “a human sea.”
“We’re expecting nearly 10 lakh people at the rally. All preparations have been completed ahead of the grand rally,” he told a press briefing at the Circuit House ground after visiting the venue.
Bagerhat-1 MP Sheikh Helal Uddin said that people will spontaneously join in the public rally to express their gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the construction of Padma Bridge.
“People of all professions, including farmers, labourers, fishermen, and entrepreneurs, are enjoying the benefits of Padma Bridge and it has already changed their lives,” he said.
Khulna-2 MP Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel said that the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina has significantly developed greater Khulna, which was neglected during previous governments.
Responding to a question, Awami League’s Joint General Secretary ABM Bahauddin Nasim said that the people of Khulna will give a befitting reply to the ongoing anarchy and arson terrorism of BNP-Jamaat in the next polls.
“People will vote for boat and give Bangabandhu’s daughter, Sheikh Hasina, another chance to form government,” he said.
