Central areas of the city have been decorated with banners and festoons put on both sides of main roads. Portraits of Bangadandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and AL chief Sheikh Hasina have been hung at several points in Rikabibazar, Chouhatta, Airport Road, Ambarkhana and Lamabazar areas.

About 100 decorated arches have already been erected on different main roads to welcome the AL chief, Sylhet city AL chief and City Corporation Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran said.

A big procession, led by central leaders of AL and alliance parties, was brought out in the city yesterday afternoon to drum up support for the rally. AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil and some other central leaders reached Sylhet yesterday and joined the procession.

Sheikh Hasina and front ranking leaders of the alliance will address the grand rally, aimed at spearheading its movement for fall of the government and keeping in view the next general election.

The alliance is on a hectic campaign for about two weeks, holding rallies and taking out processions at upazila level to make the rally a success.

The administration has also taken adequate security measures.

The local body of the alliance had sought permission for holding the grand rally at Government Alia Madrashah Maidan. The administration also assured of allowing the rally there.

But the authorities last week declined to allow the rally at the Maidan. The Opposition then decided to hold rally at Rikabibazar point.

Sylhet Police Superintendent Ansar Uddin Khan said 1500 policemen would be deployed in the city to maintain law and order. Besides, Rab (Rapid Action Battalion), armed police and plain clothed police will be on duty.

Security men have already started random checking of vehicles at all points on way to the meeting venue, police sources said.