BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Aminur Rashid Yasin on Friday formally urged BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to contest the next parliamentary election from the Cumilla-6 (Sadar) constituency.

He made the appeal while speaking as the chief guest at a doa mahfil organised to express gratitude for Tarique Rahman’s return to the country and to pray for the recovery of former prime minister Khaleda Zia. The programme also included an exchange of views with BNP leaders and activists of the Cumilla-6 constituency.

Addressing Tarique Rahman, Yasin said the party would suffer deeply if any harm came to its leader and appealed to him to “save BNP in Cumilla” by contesting from the constituency.

“Just submit your nomination papers. We, the leaders and activists, are ready to ensure your victory by a huge margin,” he said, adding that thousands of grassroots workers wanted to see Tarique Rahman as the candidate from the seat.

The programme was held on Friday evening at the Cumilla District Shilpakala Academy auditorium.

Yasin said he felt honoured to be involved in politics under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, describing his return home as an emotional moment for the nation. He stressed that politics was not his profession or source of income, but a means to restore Cumilla’s heritage and uphold the ideals of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

He also highlighted the sacrifices made by party activists, saying many had faced dozens of cases and persecution during the previous government’s tenure.

The event was presided over by former South Sadar Upazila BNP President SA Bari Selim and addressed by several senior BNP and allied organisation leaders from Cumilla.