KHULNA, Nov 12, 2023 (BSS) - Khulna City Corporation (KCC) mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque today hoped that the public rally of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in circuit house ground in the city tomorrow will turn into a human sea as it is expected that nearly a million people will join it.
 
"All preparations have been completed ahead of the grand rally. Apart from the venue-circuit house ground, over five-kilometer road area will be filled with people to see the premier, the most popular political figure of the country," he told a press briefing at the Circuit House Ground after visiting the venue.
 
Terming mass enthusiasm has been prevailing in Khulna and Barishal division, Sheikh Helal Uddin, Parliament member of Bagerhat-1 constituency, said, adding that tens of thousands of people will join in the public rally spontaneously to express gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the construction of the much-anticipated Padma Bridge translating the dream into reality.
 
People of all professions including farmers, labourers, fishermen, entrepreneurs are getting benefits of the Padma Bridge and it has already changed their fate, he said.
 
Sheikh Helal said the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia closed Mongla Port, state-owned jute mills and factories leaving over three lakh people jobless.
 
He hoped Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina would reopen it as like a large number of roads, bridges, culverts including Rupsha, Mollahat and Daratana were built after Sheikh Hasina's coming to power through 1996 general elections. 
 
Since then, the development spree is continuing in the country's once underprivileged south-western region and elsewhere in the country, he mentioned.
 
Parliament member of Khulna -2 constituency Sheikh Salauddin Jewel said Sheikh Hasina led AL government has developed greater Khulna a lot which was neglected during previous governments' tenure.
 
Khulna Agriculture University, Sheikh Hasina Medical College, Cancer Hospital four-lane roads, IT Park and other projects were constructed during the AL governments' tenure, he noted.
 
Replying a question, Awami League's joint general secretary ABM Bahauddin Nasim said Khulna people will give a befitting reply to ongoing anarchy, arson terrorism of BNP-Jamaat in next polls through giving vote to boat, AL's election symbol, and to give another chance to Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina to form government and become the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the fifth time and fourth consecutive terms.
 
Awami League leaders including organizing secretary S M Kamal Hossain and BM Mozammel Haque were present.