With banners going up, leaders mobilising at ward level and expectations running high among grassroots activists, Sylhet’s district and city BNP units are leaving no stone unturned ahead of party chairman Tarique Rahman’s visit, where he will kick off the BNP’s election campaign on January 22.
“On January 22, Tarique Rahman will begin his election campaign from Sylhet, the spiritual city of 360 saints. In the morning, he will first visit the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA) in the city and then the shrine of Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) at Khadimnagar, about eight kilometres away,” said Sylhet district BNP President Qaiyum Chowdhury.
After that, he said, the BNP chairman will address the first election rally at Alia Madrasa ground around 11:00am.
“We have taken extensive preparations to organise the rally on the occasion of the BNP chairman’s visit to Sylhet. After nearly two decades, Tarique Rahman is coming to Sylhet, and the people of Sylhet are eagerly waiting for his arrival. This will be his first visit to the city as party chairman, and Sylhet residents are keen to welcome him as one of their relatives, (son-in-law),” Qaiyum said.
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After the Sylhet rally, Tarique will carry out his election campaign along the Sylhet–Dhaka highway, Qaiyum added, saying he will address one rally in each constituency along the route.
He said the BNP Chairman is expected to hold roadside rallies in districts along the Sylhet–Dhaka highway, including Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi and Narayanganj.
The Sylhet BNP President described the visit as highly significant, as it will be Tarique’s first public rally as party chairman, where he will also present BNP’s election commitments before the people.
However, the full schedule of the Sylhet tour has not yet been officially announced by the central BNP. The election steering committee said the media will be informed in due course once the programme is finalised.
Meanwhile, speaking to journalists at a greetings exchange programme in the capital on Saturday, Tarique said, “The election is coming. I am a member of a political party. Naturally, from the 22nd, we will present all our plans to the people.”
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Contacted, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said Tarique will formally kick off his election campaign from Sylhet on January 22.
“Tarique Rahman will start his electioneering from Sylhet, known as the land of saints. His official campaign will begin through these shrine visits on January 22,” he said.
Since the formation of BNP, party founder Ziaur Rahman started his presidential election campaign from Sylhet, while Begum Khaleda Zia also launched all her election campaigns from Sylhet starting in 1991. Following that tradition, Tarique will begin his campaign through shrine visits, party leaders said.
Sylhet BNP leaders said Tarique Rahman last visited the city in 2005, when he attended a BNP union representatives’ conference as the party’s senior joint secretary general.
After spending 17 years in exile in the United Kingdom, Tarique returned home with his family on December 25. A few days later, on December 30, his mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia passed away while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital.