Staff Correspondent

The election campaign on behalf of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was held in Kotalipara, Gopalganj on Thursday, the last day for campaigning before the 12th parliamentary election.

The Awami League chief is contesting the polls from the Gopalganj-3 (Kotalipara-Tungipara) constituency.

Leaders and activists of the Awami League and its associate bodies joined the public meeting with the party’s “Boat” symbol at the Majhbari West Kotalipara Union Institution ground after conducting campaigns at places in the upazila from Thursday morning.

Awami League Advisory Council member Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed was present as the chief guest at the meeting, while prime minister’s uncle Sheikh Kabir Hossain addressed the event as the main speaker.

Former senior secretary Shahid Ullah Khandker was the special guest on the occasion. He is the designated representative of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to oversee development work in her constituency.

Awami League’s Gopalganj district unit President Mahabub Ali Khan, Kotalipara upazila unit General Secretary Aynal Hossain Sheikh, Vice-President Golam Kibria Dariya, Hiran union election steering committee Convenor Hannan Sheikh, Tungipara upazila unit vice-presidents Ilius Hossain and Munir Hossain, and Hiran Union Parishad Chairman Majaharul Alam Panna were present, among others, at the meeting.

Sabuj Sheikh, a college student who came to the public meeting, said he has become a voter for the first time and wants to cast his vote for “Boat” in the 7 January election.

Panna said public meetings were held in eleven unions and a municipal area in Kotalipara upazila on behalf of the prime minister.

“The last meeting was held at Majhbari West Kotalipara Union Institution ground in a festive atmosphere organised by the Hiran union unit Awami League and the party’s associate bodies. People from all walks of life attended the meeting,” he said.

Addressing the programme, Shahid Ullah Khandker said, “The Awami League is the only party in Bangladesh which has acted according to its declared manifestoes after coming to power. It has become possible due to the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“Under her leadership, the country has now become a role model for development,” he added.

PM’s uncle Kabir Hossain said Sheikh Hasina has shown her excellence as the daughter of Bangabandhu by conquering the sky through satellite.

“Not only did Sheikh Hasina save Bangladesh, but also resolved maritime disputes resulting in achieving a vast area in the sea without shedding any blood. She restored peace in the hilly areas by settling the chaos. Bangabandhu's daughter has won everything in this country,” he said.

In his speech, Kazi Akram urged the voters to go to polling centres to cast votes for “Boat.”

“The country has become a Golden Bengal today under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Therefore, I am calling on everyone to go to the polling station on 7 January,” he added.

Meanwhile, Awami League’s Kotalipara upazila unit Organising Secretary Kamrul Islam Badal and Patron Jahangir Hossain Khan went door to door in various villages of Bandhabari union and conducted mass contacts in favour of the party’s symbol.