Tarique arrives in Rajshahi to kick off the fourth phase of BNP’s campaign

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived in Rajshahi on Thursday to launch the fourth phase of his election campaign, beginning a three-day tour of the northern region aimed at mobilising voters in support of BNP and its alliance candidates.

Tarique reached Rajshahi by air at 12:24pm, BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told UNB.

Local BNP leaders said Tarique Rahman last visited Rajshahi in 2004 to attend a conference of union representatives, marking his return to the region after 22 years.

He was scheduled to address the first rally of the phase at Rajshahi Madrasa Ground at 2:00pm on Thursday. From the rally stage, the BNP chief was set to formally introduce 13 BNP parliamentary candidates from three districts.

Later in the day, Tarique Rahman was to address two more election rallies—at Atim Field in Naogaon at 5:30pm and at Alfatunnesa Sports Ground in Bogura at 7:30pm, according to the party.

As part of his three-day programme, he will visit the grave of Shaheed Abu Sayed at Pirganj in Rangpur at 3:45pm on January 30, followed by a rally at Rangpur Eidgah Field at 4:30pm the same day.

On January 31, Tarique is scheduled to speak at an election rally at the Sirajganj BSCIC Industrial Park at 2:00pm and later address a roadside rally at the Darun Charjana Bypass area on the Dhaka–Tangail highway at 4:00pm.

During the tour, the BNP chairman will stay overnight for two days at Hotel Naz Garden in Bogura, party sources said.

Tarique Rahman launched his nationwide election campaign on January 22 in Sylhet and subsequently held rallies in Chattogram on January 25 and Mymensingh on January 27.

So far, he has addressed 16 election rallies across the country. Large crowds have been reported at most venues, with supporters often waiting for hours to attend. Due to the massive turnout, several rallies began three to five hours behind schedule, with crowds remaining at the venues late into the night.