The New Nation - Internet Edition

Pankaj Karmakar with Ctg Bureau

Former prime minister and Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina in a mammoth rally at Laldighi ground yesterday promised to turn Chittagong into a modern port city of South Asia by establishing port in the deep sea in the Bay of Bengal.

She pledged to bring developments in many socio-economic sectors in Chittagong on the last day of election campaign.

Emphasising the importance of Chittagong as a port city the AL Chief said, " We will establish deep sea port in the Bay to turn Chittagong into a modern port city of South Asia, if voted to power."

Hasina also promised to establish railroad from Chittagong to Cox's Bazar for smooth communication between these two regions.

"Tunnel and hanging bridge over Karnaphuli River will be built", said the AL chief in her speech.

She said that people were longing for socio-economic changes in the spirit of the liberation war. They also want to say bye to hunger, poverty and illiteracy permanently, she noted.

AL chief referred to her party's election manifesto which had focused specificaly on free education up to the graduation level and employment for each member of a family.

"I was targeted several times by the killers. But being a daughter of a Muslim, I don't fear anybody but Allah. I'll not bow my head before any evil force, she declared to the thunderous applause and clapping of the crowd.

She introduced 13 candidates of Chittagong Constituencies of AL from the dais to the audience.

President of Chittagong city unit of the Awami League and Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury presided over the rally. Candidates from Chittagong-8 Nurul Islam B.Sc, Chittagong-7 Mainuddin Khan Badal, Chittagong-10 MA Latif, Chittagong-3 ABM Abul Quashem and Chittagong-15 Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu among others addressed the rally.

Nearly half a million people thronged the historic Laldghi Maidan and the roads approaching the main venue suspending vehicular traffic on the KC Dey Road, Jail Road, Court Road, Anderkillah Road, Shaheed Minar Road and Nandan Kanan.

Hasina left Sudha Sadan at 8:50 AM toward Chittagong. On her way to Chittagong, Hasina addressed roadside rally at different places Comilla, Daudkandi, Feni, and Mirsarai.

She reached Daudkandi at 9:00AM, which is under Comilla-1. She introduced Suraj Ali Bhuiyan to the people.

The election is very important for the people of Bangladesh this time and so is your vote, she said.

The AL chief alleged that the founder president of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Ziaur Rahman rewarded the assassins of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib and his family members instead of producing them before court.

The trial will be completed if grand alliance comes to power, the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib said.

A party is spending black money to win voters, she alleged.

She cautioned the audience not to get tempted by money. They will give you money for a day and exploit you for five years. "Don't sell your 'Iman' (faith) to the plunderers", she told her audience.

The prices of essentials were at tolerable level during AL's government. It went out of the reach of common people during the BNP's term. "If you want essentials at cheap rate cast your vote for AL", she said.

AL chief said, "Bangladesh will be 50 years old by 2021. Our target is to offer common people a digital Bangladesh where everyone would have access to computer and penetrate Internet on the eve of golden jubilee.

Referring to M Saifur Rahman, former finance minister of BNP who gave opportunity to whiten black money, from concession it becomes clear how much money BNP leaders plundered, she said.

Addressing a meeting at the premises of Pilot High School of Feni-2, she said BNP gave nomination to VP Joinal from whom 19 weapons were seized.

She promised to create employment opportunity for at least one person of each family.

AL chief said if her party was voted to power, they would establish a University at Feni.

Pointing a finger at BNP chairperson's son she said Bangladesh lost its image due to their corruption.

She promised to the audience to reopen moribund Muhuri irrigation project which is in a shambles.