Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has arrived at the Polo Ground to address an enormous rally. This is her first public rally in Chattogram city after a gap of ten years.

The port city has been gripped by enthusiasm and fanfare, as thousands of people were rushing towards the rally venue to see and hear the Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.

Chattogram City and North and South District AL organised the huge mass rally at the railway Polo Ground.

It is Sheikh Hasina’s second appearance at a public gathering outside Dhaka, following the rally in Jashore on November 24 – after over 27 months since the Covid-19 outbreak.

The arrival of Sheikh Hasina has energized AL leaders and activists not only in Chattogram, but also the entire southern region.

Read: AL rally in Ctg: Leaders, activists throng Polo Ground wearing colorful shirts

Hundreds of thousands thronged the rally ground in Chattogram since early morning and within a few hours, the venue was packed to the brim.

The crowd then spilled over the surrounding areas, roads and empty spaces – turning into a human sea before the arrival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the boat-shaped stage at 3:05pm.

Earlier, since morning, masses – men, women and AL supporters – were seen marching towards the venue in procession, shouting “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”, holding placards, banners, wearing colourful T-shirts and caps, beating drums, carrying the boat symbol as well as national and party flags.

Women, in large and small groups, waited in queue at the entrance. Leaders and followers of Awami League and its associate bodies from different districts of Chattogram division and adjoining areas joined the rally with a fleet of reserved buses, pickup-trucks, motorcycles while many were seen joining the rally on foot.

Read: Ctg ready to welcome PM; AL rally this afternoon

Decorated arches and gates have been constructed on the roads with posters and banners of the Prime Minister. AL leaders set up banners, balloons, festoons and posters welcoming the party chief in various areas of the city including Kazir Deuri, Halishahar, Lalkhan Bazar, Tiger Pass, Dewan Hat, Kadamtali, New Market, Anderkilla and other areas.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has carried out beautification work on the roads ahead of the rally, including cleaning and painting footpaths, decorating flyovers with lights and repairing dilapidated roads in different areas.