'Declare Rangpur city corpn by May 15'

Former President and Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad on Saturday demanded that the government declare Rangpur a city corporation by May 15.
He also threatened to launch a tougher agitation programme if the gazette notification, announcing Rangpur city corporation (RCC) is not published within the date.
The JP chairman gave the deadline while addressing a public meeting at Mominpur High School ground and roadside rallies in Sadar upazila.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took responsibility for the overall development of Rangpur at a rally here on January 8 last year and also made a commitment to upgrade Rangpur town to a city corporation, but the pledge is yet to be fulfilled," Ershad said, lamenting the delay.
He asked his party leaders and workers to strengthen the organisational activities at grassroots level.
The JP chief also attended a meeting on the construction of a four-lane highway in the district in the deputy Commissioner's office in the afternoon.
He expressed his dissatisfaction over lack of coordination in implementing the development activities which he said is going on at a snail's pace, harming popularity of the grand alliance government in the Rangpur region.
Local leaders of Awami League and Jatiya Party, businessmen, lawyers, journalists and the officials of both district and divisional levels were present at the meeting.