During a demonstration at Shaheb Bazar area at noon, they said the inauguration of the gas project before the parliamentary election is nothing but a deception.

Leaders of Rajshahi Bybosayi Oikya Parishad (RBOP) demanded immediate gas supply to Rajshahi through pipelines.

They chanted slogans like 'we want gas before poll, otherwise we will not vote BNP.'

Addressing a rally after the demonstration, the speakers said gas would have reached Rajshahi much earlier if the government had any genuine interest.

"Our demands were not cared at all although we (citizens) had been demonstrating for gas for over two years," they added.

Chaired by RBOP President Mosharraf Hossain Akhunji, the rally was also addressed by its Secretary Farid Mahmud Hasan, prominent businessmen Harunur Rashid, Bimol Kumar, Golam Rasul and Sekandar Ali.

Talking to reporters Rajshahi Rakkha Andolon Parishad (RRAP) Convener Zamat Khan said, "The inauguration of gas project at the time of the departure of the government is nothing but a fraud."

Mahtab Uddin, convener of Rajshahi Gas Andolon Parishad (RGAP), said gas was taken to Chittagong and Comilla in only 29 days during Ershad regime.

"Actually, the government is yet to be assured of money for the project and that is why it has taken shelter of political stunt," he added.

Mahtab claimed that even the floating of tenders for laying pipelines and setting up of gas networking in Rajshahi is false.

He said, "Tenders were floated before the project was approved by the Ecnec and there were many examples of such projects that were left uncared over years."

Energy Adviser Mahmudur Rahman told a Rajshahi gathering on September 4 that gas would be coming to Rajshahi by the end of 2008.

He said, " The Asian Development Bank has agreed to provide US$ 230 million for the project and the government will provide the rest."

During her visit to Rajshahi, Khaleda is also scheduled to inaugurate Rajshahi Women Polytechnic Institute which was built at Tk 10.98 crore and started academic activities months ago.

She will also inaugurate the newly modeled Rajshahi Railway Station although its construction work is yet to be completed at a cost of Tk 29 crore.

Formal functioning of the station will take few months more, said experts concerned.

The PM will also lay the foundation stone for upgrading Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital into 1000-bed at a cost of Tk 30 crore. The project, however, is stated to be designed only.

Besides, she will inaugurate the academic building and a 500-seat student hall of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology.

In the afternoon, Khaleda will address a public meeting at Chapainawabganj.