A gala feast indeed!
More than 30,000 people had a feast yesterday in Akkelpur upazila of Joypurhat held by a local leader of the ruling Awami League.
The host, Ziaul Haque Zia, convenor of Akkelpur upazila Krishak League, said he had organised the programme to keep his promise made last year when he aspired to contest Rukindipur union parishad chairman post. He, however, could not join the race as he failed to get party ticket.
Politicians of the AL and other parties, government and non government officials, journalists of Joypurhat and traders were among the invitees, said Zia, who was a member of Rukindipur UP.
People of Akkelpur upazila said Monjurul Haque, elder brother of Zia and an audit officer of the education ministry, provided the fund.
“He [Monjurul] either wants to help his brother make a political ground or he himself plans to step into politics,” said a party man of Akkelpur upazila.
When the organisers were gearing up for the feast on 30 acres of land, four adjacent primary schools -- Awalgari Government Primary School, Paschim Awalgari Government Primary School, Roar Government Primary School and Bhandaripara Government Primary School -- remained shut from Sunday. They have nearly 1,300 students.
Cooking for the feast began at Roar village in Akkelpur upazila on Monday afternoon.
Twenty-two cows and 25 castrated goats had been slaughtered. Four tonnes of rice and curries of four tonnes of potato and four tonnes of fish were also cooked for the grand meal. An extra 400kg rice and 200kg meat was stowed away in case the food was insufficient, Zia said.
Three-hundred cooks were hired from Bogra to prepare the meal while 300 others to serve.
The head cook, Saiful Islam, from Khalishpur village of Bogra, said the cooking began early yesterday in 20 earthen stoves.
The food was served on 30,000 plates and 30,000 disposable glasses. An owner of a local restaurant, Abdur Rahim estimated the cost at Tk 60 lakh minimum.
The mammoth arrangement drew attention of many like Helal Uddin, a trader of the upazila.
“I didn't see such a massive arrangement in my life before,” he said with excitement.
According to party insiders, Zia is planning to participate in the chairman election in Akkelpur upazila, and the feast is part of the plan.
But he rejected it.
Zia's brother Monjurul Haque didn't receive calls when this correspondent tried to reach him for comments.
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