After Rangpur puja visit, PM heads to Rajshahi rally as activists stream into Madrasa field in processions
After visiting puja venues in Rangpur, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has set off for Rajshahi. He left Saidpur airport in Nilphamari for Rajshahi at 2 p.m. on Tuesday (October 20), where he is scheduled to address a public rally at the historic Madrasa field as chief guest.
The day had begun shortly after dawn. The Prime Minister arrived at Saidpur airport by plane from Tejgaon airport at 9:50 a.m., and from there set off by bus for Rangpur.
On the way, he got down in front of Saidpur Government Science College, took selfies with students and gifted them sports equipment. The spontaneous moment with the students drew the attention of many present.
Activists standing on both sides of the road greeted the Prime Minister on his way to Rangpur, and he waved back from the bus. On the way, he also took part in street rallies at Taraganj and Paglapir in Rangpur.
On reaching Rangpur, the Prime Minister visited the Dharmasabha Radha Gobinda temple and exchanged views with members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja. There he conveyed the government's message of unity and spoke of allocations for Rangpur's development. After the temple visit, he returned to Saidpur airport and left for Rajshahi.
Meanwhile, enthusiasm runs high among BNP and allied organisation activists in Rajshahi over the Prime Minister's rally. Although the rally is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., activists began arriving in groups at the historic Madrasa field venue from midday.
They are coming to the venue in small processions from various districts and upazilas of Rajshahi division, carrying banners and festoons. Banners and festoons bearing slogans about the Prime Minister's arrival can be seen across the field.
The head of government is scheduled to deliver the chief guest's speech at the rally, organised by the Rajshahi district and metropolitan BNP. On the day, he will hand over incentive money to sugarcane farmers of Natore, Rajshahi and Gopalpur, and farmers from those areas have come to the Madrasa field venue for that purpose.
Abdus Salam, a BNP worker who came from Godagari upazila, said he had come to see Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and to hear him speak. He said the Prime Minister had come to Rajshahi before the election, but he could not attend that day.
Liton Islam, joint convener of the Motihar Thana Swechchhasebak Dal, said this is the first time a prime minister has come outside Dhaka for a religious festival, and that it is a very good initiative. In his words, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working for the welfare of the country and its people, and wants to take Bangladesh forward with people of all classes.
The Madrasa field in Rajshahi has been decorated for the Prime Minister's arrival. Separate spaces have been arranged for women and men in the field, and the activists arriving at the venue carry various banners and festoons.
After reaching Rajshahi, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit the Rajshahi Dharmasabha temple at Gankpara in the city. He will then address the rally at the Madrasa field at 3 p.m.
The Prime Minister's same-day tour of three divisional cities — Rangpur, Rajshahi and Chattogram — has kept a festive mood in the areas concerned all day. All eyes are now on what message he gives at the Rajshahi rally about the country's overall situation and the government's plans.
