Kishoreganj: President Abdul Hamid called upon the voters to elect leaders of good character who will not deceive general people and never be their masters after being elected.

‘You must choose leaders who bear good character, keep up their pre-election commitments and always think of local development and welfare of their people,’ he said.

The President was delivering his speech as chief guest at a mass reception accorded to him at Austagram Upazila playground on the first day of his five-day visit to his home district Kishoreganj.

Austgram Nagorik Committee hosted the reception programme as Abdul Hamid paid his first time visit to Austagram after he took oath of office as the country’s President for the second consecutive term on April 24.

Referring to the upcoming general election, the President said, ‘Holding the position of the President, I cannot deliver any political speech. But I can say people should take their right decisions while choosing their leaders.’

President Abdul Hamid urged all political parties to nominate good candidates in next polls for the betterment of the country.

‘I urge country’s all political parties to give nomination to good people in the greater interest of the country and its people.’

Repeatedly requesting all political parties to work in consensus for the people’s welfare, Abdul Hamid said If political leaders work in cooperation with each other, there will not be any confrontation and development can be ensured at local levels.

The President also asked people’s elected representatives to engage themselves for the welfare of the people.

On his long political background and 1970 polls, Hamid said he had to face many difficulties to reach the present position. ‘In the meantime, I lost many of my nearest people and friends. I recall their contribution with due respect and pray for their eternal peace.’

Panel chairman of Kishoreganj Zila Parishad Fazlul Haque Haidari presided over the grand reception porgramme.

Members of Parliament engineer Rejwan Ahammad Taufiq, Afzal Hossain and Sohrab Uddin, Kishoreganj Zila Parishad chairman advocate M Zillur Rahman, and Austagram Upazila Parishad chairman Shahidul Islam James, among others, spoke at the function.

Before the occasion, the President opened development activities of seven projects of the upazila.

President Hamid arrived by a helicopter at Austagram Upazila Helipad Ground at about 2 pm where he was received by political leaders, local MP and senior officials of the district administration by presenting a bouquet.

Earlier on the day, the President left for Kishoreganj for a five-day visit to address several public meetings and hold view-exchange meetings at Austagram, Itna and Mithamain.

Local political leaders including Rezwan Ahmed Taufiq, MP, senior civil and military officials and secretaries concerned to Bangabhaban accompanied the President.

Later he held a view-exchange meeting with local political leaders, distinguished personalities, media persons at Rastrapati Abdul Hamid Auditorium in the evening.

On Tuesday morning, the President will enquire of the progress of development works of Austagram-Nawga and Austagram-Kastul-Vastala Roads.