Chattogram ready to welcome PM Tarique Rahman; activists thrilled

Online Desk : Chattogram is preparing to welcome Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on August 9 as leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies eagerly await his first visit to the port city since assuming office on February 17.

During the daylong tour, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Matarbari in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, before travelling to several locations in Chattogram, including Banshkhali, Fatikchhari and Hathazari.

Alongside the local administration, BNP has made extensive preparations to receive the Prime Minister, who is expected to arrive in Maheshkhali at around 9:00am. He will inspect the operations of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the coal-fired power plant and the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA).

Party leaders said Tarique Rahman will also hold an organisational meeting with leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations from Chattogram Metropolitan, North and South units at Radisson Blu Chattogram in the evening.

According to senior BNP leaders, members of the full committees of the three organisational units and affiliated bodies have been invited to attend the meeting, where the Prime Minister is expected to exchange views with grassroots leaders and provide organisational directives.

Following his visit to Maheshkhali, Tarique Rahman will travel by helicopter to Baharchhara beach in Banshkhali upazila to attend a government programme for the rehabilitation of families affected by the recent floods.

He is scheduled to distribute relief materials and hand over the keys to newly built houses to 100 homeless families.

Later, the Prime Minister will visit Fatikchhari, where he will pay a courtesy call on Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari at Al Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasa.

He will then visit Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Mainul Islam Madrasa in Hathazari to pay respects at the grave of late Allama Shah Ahmed Shafi.

According to BNP sources, after a brief break at the District Council Dak Bungalow, Tarique Rahman will attend another government programme at the Hathazari Government College ground for flood rehabilitation.

At the event, he is expected to provide Tk 100,000 each to 30 flood-affected families to help rebuild their homes on behalf of local MP and State Minister for Land Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin.

The Prime Minister will also distribute financial assistance of Tk 10,000 each to 15 persons with disabilities.

After completing the day’s engagements, he will attend the BNP organisational meeting at Radisson Blu before departing for Dhaka at around 9:20pm.

Speaking to BSS, Chattogram-5 MP and State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin said the Prime Minister remains committed to improving public welfare and has prioritised the rehabilitation of flood victims in Chattogram.

He said the government is constructing houses in Banshkhali while providing financial assistance in other affected upazilas based on need.

On the organisational meeting, Helal Uddin said Tarique Rahman regularly interacts with grassroots leaders, whom he considers the foundation of the party, and believes inclusive politics is key to strengthening both BNP and the country.

Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman said leaders holding positions in BNP and its affiliated organisations would attend the meeting, while several senior leaders who no longer hold organisational posts would also be invited in recognition of their long-standing contributions.

Southern District BNP Member Secretary Lion Helal Uddin said although no public rally has been scheduled, thousands of people are expected to gather along the Prime Minister’s route to welcome him.