Hasina pulls large crowds at rallies

Sheikh Hasina Wajed undertook a two-day whirlwind trip of greater Mymensingh yesterday to seek a vote for her party for a second term.

Hasina spoke at as many as 14 scheduled election rallies at Kaliakoir, Mirzapur, Tangail, Alenga, Kalihati, Ghatail, Madhupur, Sharisabari, Sherpur, Jamalpur and Haluaghat, drawing huge crowds from all walks of life.

Besides, she dropped in at innumerable wayside rallies on the second day of her electioneering tour in the central districts. Enthusiastic people waited hours at each venue, braving rainy weather to catch a glimpse of the former prime minister.

Awami League workers and supporters came to Mymensingh town carrying paper and wooden boats, the party's election symbol, and erected welcome arches at different entry points and in the town, creating a festive mood.

Addressing a huge meeting at Mymensingh, Hasina said if elected to power, her party would establish municipalities at each sub-districts, and union complexes and growth centres at every village to provide all modern facilities to the rural people.

All villages, she said, will also be supplied with electricity to spur growth through diverse economic activity.

"There will be no people left homeless, none would remain without education and medicare facilities," she promised, adding that agro-based industrial units would be set up in the northern districts.

Hasina noted that if the Awami League formed a government, corruption and terrorism would be rooted out and people's misery alleviated.