BNP is planning to hold it’s ‘biggest ever public rally at Rangpur’ on September 15. BNP chairperson and opposition leader Khaleda Zia will address the rally as the chief guest.
BNP leaders said they are expecting a gathering of more than half a million people at the rally at the Zilla School ground. Though Rangpur region is the bastion of former president HM Ershad led Jatiya Party(JP), BNP leaders are expecting to gain ground in some constituencies.
Two former JP lawmakers, Mohammad Ali Sarker of Rangpur-1 and Shah Solaiman Fakir of Rangpur -6 constituency are likely to join BNP by handing over BNP’s election symbol ‘sheaf of paddy’ to Khaleda Zia at Sunday’s rally, local BNP leaders said.
Khaleda left the capital on Saturday afternoon for Bogra where she will stay overnight and start for Rangpur on
Sunday morning. On Monday she will address another public rally at Rajshahi.
As Khaleda Zia’s motorcade rolled out of Dhaka in the afternoon large crowds of cheering party supporters standing on both sides of the highway waved banners and festoons to welcome the party chairperson.
However, there was a brief scuffle between BNP supporters over trifle matters on welcoming her at Chandra on the outskirt of Gazipur. Police, however, managed to calm the situation.
Meanwhile, Khaleda’s public meeting in Khulna has been deferred to September 29 instead of September 22.
BNP sources said the rally has been rescheduled since Khulna Circuit House Ground, the meeting venue, has gone under water.
Meanwhile, Khaleda’s public meeting in Barisal scheduled for September 29 has been postponed and the fresh date for the meeting will be announced later, said an officer of BNP chairperson’s media wing. As part of the BNP-led 18-party alliance programme, Khaleda will address Rangpur and Rajshahi on Sunday and Monday respectively.
-With The Independent input
