The southern district of Barishal has been immersed in a celebratory atmosphere to mark the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her first to the area in five years.
Hasina, who is also the president of the ruling Awami League, is visiting Barishal as part of her campaign tour leading up to the January 7 general election. Thousands of Awami League leaders, including party candidates and activists, enthusiastically chanted slogans in support of the party's election symbol, the boat, as the party chief arrived in the morning.
Scheduled to address an election rally at the historic Bangabandhu Udyan in the divisional headquarters, Hasina received a warm welcome from the city adorned with banners, posters, and flags.
Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the rally ground since early morning, with many securing their positions overnight. The crowd spilled over into surrounding areas, roads, and empty spaces long before the PM was set to take the stage, which was shaped like a boat.
Throughout the morning, a continuous stream of people, including women, marched towards the venue chanting slogans like "Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu," holding colorful placards, banners, and festoons. Many participants wore vibrant T-shirts, caps, and headbands adorned with the Bangladeshi flag and the boat symbol.
Leaders and followers of Awami League and its associate bodies from various districts of Barishal division, as well as adjoining districts, joined the rally using reserved buses, pickup trucks, and motorcycles, while many arrived on foot.
Following her visit to Barishal, the Prime Minister will head to Tungipara, her birthplace. Tomorrow, she is scheduled to address two rallies in Tungipara and Kotalipara. On her way back to Dhaka, she will address another rally at Kalkini in Madaripur.
