Expressing his deepest gratitude for the warm and hearty reception accorded to him, Saifur said, "I wish to have the love of Sylhet people with me when I die."

An emotion choked Saifur said, "Pray for me so that I can complete the incomplete work for the region which is lagging behind."

Saifur Rahman was addressing a huge rally at Sylhet's Rikabi Bazar yesterday afternoon organised to accord reception to him for his 'outstanding contribution in placing the country's national budget for the 12th time'.

The reception was organised by people of the pro-Saifur and pro-BNP-Jamaat forum under the banner 'Amra Sylhet Bashi'.

The plan to give Saifur a reception was taken after young ruling party legislator M Ilyas Ali spoke ill of the minister. However, party high ups intervened and kept the rival camps of the ruling party silent. The minister also changed his stance over resignation and decided to continue until the end of alliance tenure.

The minister said, "I was not so happy a few weeks ago. However, the prime minister had asked me to continue and she took a number of steps."

Giving a list of development projects implemented in the greater Sylhet region as well as in the country, the finance minister said the nation had made huge achievements in health, education, agriculture, communication and in other sectors. It all happened due to the realistic programmes taken up by the BNP, he claimed.

"You (the Sylhet people) had elected me in 2001 election with a margin of 43,000 votes, I am grateful to you. I had tried to do something for the common people and I will continue to do so," he added.

The minister said Sylhet region did not get its due share of development even after contributing heavily to the national economy. It happened only because politics was confined to the drawing rooms, he asserted. Send competent people to parliament so that they can carry forward necessary work for the region, he urged the people.

Work for the Sylhet Veterinary University will begin very soon, Saifur said adding the appointment of the project director will be given within a week. He said Sylhet Metropolitan Police would also be launched very soon.

The rally was addressed by Central Vice-president of the BMA Shamimur Rahman, Sylhet BMA Chief MA Matin, ex-president of the Sylhet district Bar association Shamsul Islam Chowdhury, Sylhet Press Club President Muktabis Un Noor, College Teachers Association General Secretary Aslam Kabir Tito among others.

Convener of 'Amra Sylhet Bashi' former principal of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Enayetullah chaired the reception rally while Jatiya Sangsad Whip Fazlul Haque Aspia, Privatisation Commission Chairman Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, Abeda Chowdhury MP, Khaleda Rabbani, Dilder Hossain Selim MP, Maulana Farid uddin Chowdhury MP, Kolim Uddin Ahmed Milon MP, Abu Lais Mohammad Mobin Chowdhury MP, Naser Rahman MP and MM Shahin MP also attended the rally.