BNP kicks off its first election rally in Sylhet, with Tarique set to address the gathering

Following in his father’s footsteps and honouring traditions closely associated with his mother’s legacy, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is launching his national election campaign from Sylhet on Thursday.

The public rally began at 10:00am, with Tarique Rahman scheduled to address the gathering as chief guest around 11:00am.

The rally is being held at the same field where the party’s recently deceased chairperson Khaleda Zia had addressed election meetings on several occasions.

Organised by the Sylhet District and Metropolitan BNP, together with the Sunamganj District BNP, the venue has already been filled to capacity with leaders, activists and supporters. The field has turned into a sea of people, many of whom had attended Khaleda Zia’s rallies in the past and have now gathered to see her son, Tarique Rahman.

BNP leaders say launching election campaigns from Sylhet is a long-standing party tradition. BNP founder and martyred president Ziaur Rahman, as well as former chairperson Khaleda Zia, also used to begin their campaigns by visiting the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R), followed by their first rally at the Alia Madrasa ground.

Earlier, around 8:00pm on Wednesday night, Tarique Rahman arrived in Sylhet by air and paid visits to the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R).

The official campaign for the 13th National Parliamentary Election began across the country on Thursday (22 January).