Online Desk  :   Information and Broadcasting Minister Barrister Andaleeve Rahman has said the country is currently grappling with gas and electricity shortages, while accusing the Awami League of leaving the economy severely debilitated after 17 years in power. “Our Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken responsibility at the most difficult time in the history of Bangladesh. We have to recover from that situation,” he said. The minister made the remarks at a street rally organised in front of the party office at Notun Bazar in Bhola on Wednesday afternoon.

Referring to the proposed Bhola-Barishal bridge, Andaleeve Rahman said every resident of Bhola had taken part in the movement for the bridge and that they had all worked towards its construction. “The government is also looking into the matter. It is considering the issue from its own position,” he said. He said travelling to Dhaka via Hizla-Muladi-Shariatpur would reduce travel time by around 40 minutes, adding that the government was also considering the route.

The minister said Tk1,200 crore had been allocated for a medical college in Bhola, Tk700 crore for preventing river erosion and Tk500 crore for repairing roads within Sadar upazila. “Everyone, regardless of political affiliation, must remain united for the development of Bhola,” he said. Andaleeve Rahman also said there were no thieves, terrorists, tender manipulators or extortionists in his party. “If anyone engages in such activities using my party’s name, remember that they are not members of my party,” he said.

The information minister urged those who had voted for him as well as those who had not to extend their cooperation so that he could work for everyone.“I received votes from many of you during the election, while many did not vote for me. Please cooperate with me so that I can work for everyone,” he said. This was Andaleeve Rahman’s first visit to his constituency in Bhola since assuming office as Information and Broadcasting Minister. He is the Member of Parliament for Bhola-1 and chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP).

Thousands of people gathered at different points along the route to catch a glimpse of the minister. Defying adverse weather and rain from the morning, party leaders and activists, along with people from different walks of life, gathered at Bhola Ferry Ghat, Notun Bazar, Kalinath Roy Bazar and other areas to welcome him. Around noon, he left Barishal for Bhola by speedboat. People standing on both sides of the canals waved to him as he travelled towards Bhola.

He reached Bhola Ferry Ghat at around 1:15pm, where District Commissioner Dr Shamim Rahman, Police Superintendent Md Shahidullah Kawsar, District Council Administrator Golam Nabi Alamgir and leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party and BNP welcomed him with flowers. Later, thousands of people standing on both sides of the road greeted him with flowers as he travelled from the ferry ghat to his residence in Ukilpara. Andaleeve Rahman later addressed the street rally at Notun Bazar.

Please follow and like us: