A massive crowd thronged a rally of Shajahan Bhuiyan, general secretary of Rupganj upazila unit Awami League and three-time chairman of the upazila parishad, in Narayanganj on Wednesday afternoon.

Millions of voters, who turned the rally into a sea of people, chanted slogans against lawmaker from the Narayanganj-1 constituency and Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, saying, “We do not want to see outsider Golam Dastagir Gazi anymore.”

Such a large gathering of voters has never been seen in Rupganj ever before, said the local people, adding that the huge rally was the oppressed people’s protest and revenge against the injustice perpetrated by the Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi.

Supporters of Shahjahan, who is contesting the election as an independent candidate, came from Rupganj as well as other areas of Narayanganj district with large processions. As a result, the trade fair venue at sector-4 of Purbachal (Rajuk) was filled to the brim.

At the rally, Shahjahan Bhuiyan people of the area will be freed from the local member of parliament’s torture and exploitation they have been suffering for the last 14 years. He also promised to continue working for the welfare of Rupganj if he got elected.

“This huge gathering indicates that the people of Rupganj want a change in leadership. Despite facing numerous obstacles during the campaign, the public meeting has turned into a sea of people today because of the love of the people,” he said.

Shahjahan Bhuiyan also said, “I have been working under the flag of Bangladesh Awami League for 52 years as a dedicated soldier of Mujib, and staying beside the people. As an activist of the Awami League, I am with the Rupganj upazila unit of the party. For 32 years, I have been performing my duties as the general secretary of Rupganj Upazila unit Awami League with great devotion.

“I seek your blessings as an independent candidate in the 12th National Parliamentary Elections slated for 7 January. I am firmly committed to serve you forever. I hope you will forgive my small mistakes in this long political journey. If I am elected a member of parliament, I will work relentlessly to make Narayanganj-1 (Rupganj) constituency free from land grabbing, terrorism, and extortion, and develop a smart and safe Rupganj as part of building a smart Bangladesh.”

Speakers at the rally said Rupganj Upazila unit Awami League General Secretary Shahjahan Bhuiyan is contesting the polls as an independent candidate under the clear guidance of AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A large number of his supporters are going door to door with his symbol “kettle”.

However, despite the instructions not to hinder the election participation and campaigning of independent candidates, Shahjahan Bhuiyan was the victim of attacks by terrorists associated with Golam Dastagir Gazi, who is contesting the polls with the boat symbol, said speakers at the rally.

The supporters of Shahjahan Bhuiyan said MP Golam Dastagir Gazi has tried to defeat Shahjahan at every stage of the campaign in the area. They have threatened the supporters of the kettle symbol, and asked them to stop campaigning for Shahjahan. Despite all the intimidation, a huge crowd had gathered at the rally which was apparently the people’s protest against all oppression and injustice.

Rupganj Upazila Awami League Vice President Barrister Khan Mohammad Shamim Aziz presided over and its Information and Research Affairs Secretary Md Kamal Hossain moderated the rally.

Kanchan Municipality Mayor Rafiqul Islam Rafiq, Daudpur Union Parishad Chairman Nurul Islam Jahangir Master, Rupganj Union Awami League President Moshiur Rahman Tarek, Rupganj Upazila Vice Chairman Md Sohel Ahmad Bhuiyan, former Murapara union member Abdul Jabbar also spoke at the public meeting. Over 50,000 people were led to the rally by Rupganj Union Member Liton Pradhan and Sheikh Md Mohiuddin.