Bhola Correspondent

Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister and Bhola-1 lawmaker Barrister Andaleeb Rahman Partho returned to his Constituency for the first time on Wednesday after joining the cabinet, drawing crowds of supporters and residents who gathered across the town to welcome him.

Partho, Chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP, arrived at Bhola Kheyaghat Launch Terminal at around 1 p.m. by speedboat from Barishal. He was welcomed by Deputy Commissioner Shamim Rahman, Police Superintendent Shahidullah Kawsar, District BNP Convener and District Council Administrator Alhaj Golam Nabi Alamgir, District BJP President Aminul Islam Ratan, and leaders and activists of BNP and BJP.

Supporters carrying flowers gathered at several points in Bhola from the morning, creating a festive atmosphere in the town. Partho’s appointment as a minister, eight years after Bhola last produced a cabinet member, has raised expectations among residents that development projects in the district will gain fresh momentum.

Speaking briefly outside the District BJP Office at Natun Bazar, Partho said no member of his family was involved in tender manipulation or extortion and pledged to work for Bhola’s development with people from across the political spectrum.

“If everyone stands with me, and God willing, I will strive to carry out the highest level of development work in Bhola,” Partho said.

He said development efforts should involve all sections of society and expressed his willingness to work with the opposition, Jamaat and other political groups. He called for collective efforts to advance the interests of Bhola without excluding anyone.

He also sought public prayers and support so that he could properly discharge the responsibilities entrusted to him by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He appealed for cooperation in preserving the political legacy of his late father, Naziu Rahman Manju.

Naziu Rahman Manju, the founder of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP, was a prominent political figure in Bhola for many years. He was locally known as the “Architect of Bhola” for his contributions to the district’s development.

Many local residents and political supporters expressed hope that Partha would build on his father’s legacy and remain closely engaged with the people of Bhola.

Later in the day, Partha received a guard of honour from law enforcement personnel at his residence.

In the afternoon, he visited the grave of his late father, Naziu Rahman Manju, in South Dighaldi and offered prayers.