Dhaka: Five-and-a-half-year-old Eftin, a kindergarten student, captured attention at the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal’s May Day rally at Nayapaltan on Friday by appearing dressed as former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. The child arrived at the rally from Old Dhaka with her mother, wearing a saree styled after Khaleda Zia’s iconic look.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Eftin expressed her admiration for Khaleda Zia, stating, “I love Khaleda Zia. I want to grow up to be like her and serve the people of this country.” The Sramik Dal’s rally, organized to mark International Workers’ Day, began formally at around 2:30 pm. The event’s chief guest, Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, was scheduled to address the gathering.
A large crowd of party leaders, activists, and workers from Dhaka and surrounding districts gathered at Nayapaltan to participate in the event. Akram Hossain, who traveled from Mirpur, mentioned that he attended the rally to hear Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s speech. The rally attracted leaders and activists from neighboring districts, including Narayanganj, Gazipur, Manikganj, and Narsingdi.
The event created a festive atmosphere with participants wearing red caps and T-shirts, carrying banners, and beating drums. Processions from various parts of the capital and nearby districts converged on Nayapaltan from the morning, filling the area with applause and slogans. Due to the rally, the road from Fakirapool to Kakrail was closed, requiring vehicles to use alternative routes. However, special arrangements were made for emergency services, particularly ambulances.
Organizers also provided free medical camps and mobile toilets for party activists and the general public attending the rally.