Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday started his poll campaign through cycling after crossing the Karnaphuly River by a boat.
“Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had carried out his campaign through cycling in 1954 and our electoral symbol is 'Boat'”, he told a street meeting at Ranguniya.
Dr Hasan, a candidate of Awami League from Chattogram-7 constituency, said Bangabandhu had carried out his electoral campaign riding on a boat and cycling. "Recalling the memory of Bangabandhu, today I crossed the Karnaphuli river by boat and started the election campaign by cycling from the party office," he said.
The ruling party leader said a festive mood has been prevailing centering the upcoming election amid BNP's conspiracies from home and abroad.
He hoped that the next election slated for January 7 will be held in a free, fair and transparent manner with the huge participation of voters.
He said thousands of voters will exercise their franchise in Ranguniya also. The minister said the people who hatched conspiracies centering the poll are now hidden in secret places as the countrymen rejected them.
He said BNP is now announcing programmes of arson attacks on public transports. Those are carrying out terrorist activities, not political programmes, he added.
"Conspiracies are being hatched against the poll and BNP-Jamaat thought that we could not hold the election," he said.
The minister urged all to cast their votes in favour of 'boat', the electoral symbol of Awami League again.
Dr Hasan said, "I've always tried to stay beside the people of my area. I've also visited Chattogram and my constituency in Ranguniya in every week along with performing my responsibilities as a minister and party as well".
He said the country moves ahead under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina whether anyone admits it or not.
But there will be mistake in running the government as people do mistakes, he said, adding that there is no government in the world that can do cent percent work properly.
Seeking cooperation of all to continue progress under the AL government, the information minister said, "I've tried to be a lawmaker irrespective of all parties and opinions. My door has been opened for all for the last 15 years".
Hasan held a street meeting in Chowmohuni area of Mariamnagar. Earlier, he visited Satyapir's shrine on the top of the hill and the graves of his parents.
Chairman of the election management committee and upazila chairman Swajan Kumar Talukdar, north district Awami League leaders Abul Kashem Chishti, Md. Shahjahan Sikder, Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, Nazrul Islam Talukder, Muhammad Ali Shah, Iftekhar Hossain Babul, Aktar Hossain Khan, Election Management Committee Secretary Engineer Shamsul Alam Talukder and Gias Uddin Khan Swapan, among others, addressed the function.
