The procession was followed by a rally held at the Picture Palace cinema intersection.

With GKDCAC vice-president Haider Gazi salahudding Runu in the chair, the rally was addressed by, among others, Editor of Dainik Purbanchal and president of Khulna Press Club Liaquat Ali, Editor of Daily Tribune Begum Ferdausi Ali, labour leader Sardar Motaharuddin, Principal Rehana Akhter, Khulna city president of CPB advocate Feroze Ahmed, secretary of Khulna Press Club AK Hiru, chairperson of Khulna Citizens' Forum (KCF) Shaikh Abdul Kayyum, Executive Director of Nabalok (an NGO) Kazi Wahiduzzaman, Khulna bureau chief of Dainik Prothom Alo Shaikh Abu Hasan and GDDCAC leader Daul Ali.

Speakers of the rally renewed their pledge to continue agitation to save greater Khulna from being economically ruined due to alleged discrimination in allocation of funds.

They said Mongla port which is an asset of the country must be saved from being gradually ruined and the Sundarbans from being plundered.

They said establishment of deep sea port at Akram Point, construction of Padma bridge at Mawa, supply of pipeline gas in Khulna are now demands of people of south-western region of the country. They urged the government to make specific announcements as regards the demands and warned of tougher agitation for non-compliance.