Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address a public rally here on Wednesday which her party officials believe would be the largest ever in the history of the northern region.

An advance delegation of the ruling party, led by its General Secretary Obaidul Quader, on Tuesday reviewed the preparations for the divisional grand rally at Rangpur Zilla School ground.

“This is going to be the biggest ever rally in Rangpur,” said Quader after inspecting the venue along with senior party leaders. “The people here are eagerly waiting to see the prime minister and hear from her.”

Hasina, who doubles as the president of Awami League, is expected to address the rally at 3pm, according to the PMO sources.

She is scheduled to arrive in Rangpur at 1:30pm on Wednesday by a helicopter and arrive at the rally ground at 3:30 pm. She will then be escorted to a large boat-shaped stage.

From the rally, the prime minister will inaugurate 27 development schemes and lay foundation stone of five others including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novotheatre worth about Tk 1240 crore.

The leaders and activists of AL and its associate bodies are feeling upbeat about the PM’s visit.

People of all strata of lives of the region are eagerly waiting to hear the premier speak at the rally.

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the Awami League relies on the people’s support.

“So, we are dependent on people not on weapons. We don't believe in arson terrorism. Our strength is the people of the country,” he said.

He also said that their target is to protect the country from crooks, tyrants, money-launderers, militant and sectarian evil forces

“We can’t hand over our motherland to these types of people. This is our promise," he continued.

To welcome the PM, the entire Rangpur has been decorated with hundreds of makeshift gates, festoons, banners, placards and posters with pictures of the Father of the Nation and the prime minister.