BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to begin a tour of 17 districts as part of his election campaign for the upcoming national election, starting from Sylhet on January 22.
The campaign will officially kick off in Sylhet-known as the holy land of Peer-Aulia-where Tarique Rahman will address a major rally. BNP leaders say there is widespread enthusiasm among party activists and supporters, with local leaders estimating that more than 300,000 people may attend the event.
Local BNP leaders said the visit is significant as it will mark Tarique Rahman's first public meeting as BNP chairman, during which he will outline the party's election agenda and key promises. This will also be his first visit outside Dhaka since assuming the role of BNP chairman.
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan told The Daily Observer that Tarique Rahman will begin his campaign by visiting the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) in Sylhet on the morning of January 22, following longstanding party tradition.
"Since the party's formation, BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and later Begum Khaleda Zia began their election campaigns from Sylhet. In keeping with that tradition, Tarique Rahman will also start his campaign there," Nazrul Islam Khan said.
Party sources said BNP candidates from Sylhet and Sunamganj, along with leaders and activists from across the region, will attend the rally at the Alia Madrasa ground. After the Sylhet programme, Tarique Rahman will return to Dhaka by road, addressing additional public meetings along the way.
He is scheduled to speak at rallies in Sherpur of Moulvibazar and Shayestaganj of Habiganj, where he will formally introduce BNP's parliamentary candidates for the respective districts. He will address multiple public meetings in Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Habiganj on Thursday.
BNP's Sylhet divisional organising secretary GK Gaus said Tarique Rahman is expected to arrive in Sylhet by plane on Wednesday night and will address his first rally at the Alia Madrasa ground at around 1100am on Thursday.
After the Sylhet rally, he will travel by road to Sherpur, Moulvibazar Sadar upazila, where he is scheduled to address a second rally at Ainpur ground between 100pm and 200pm. Later, he will attend another public meeting in Shayestaganj, Habiganj.
GK Gaus said the party is preparing for large gatherings at all venues and that enthusiasm among leaders and activists-particularly in Moulvibazar and surrounding areas-is high. He added that leaders and workers have been instructed to work collectively to ensure the programmes are successful.
Grassroots leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations are making extensive preparations, with stage construction underway at Ainpur ground. Central and district leaders are regularly visiting the venues to supervise arrangements.
Although the central leadership has yet to officially announce the detailed schedule, the party's election management committee said the full programme will be shared with the media once finalised.
Moulvibazar district BNP convener Faizul Karim said preparations for the Sherpur rally are nearly complete and a large turnout is expected from Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Sylhet and nearby upazilas.
Moulvibazar Superintendent of Police Mohammad Billal Hossain said law enforcement agencies have taken necessary measures to ensure the rallies are held peacefully, adding that security arrangements are in place and the situation is being closely monitored.
