Tarique Rahman joins first election rally in Sylhet
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman reached at the Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet this afternoon to take part in the party’s first election rally.
He reached the venue around 12:27pm in a red-and-green bus and took his seat on the stage.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Earlier, at about 11:30am, he left the Grand Sylhet Hotel after attending a programme there and headed to the rally.
As his motorcade approached the stage, party leaders and activists gathered in front of the vehicle, chanting slogans. While travelling by road, Tarique Rahman waved to supporters lining the streets.
The programme formally began at 10:50am with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Amberkhana Jame Mosque’s khatib, Maulana Saleh Ahmed.
The rally has been organised by the Sylhet district and metropolitan BNP, along with Sunamganj district BNP, and is being presided over by Sylhet district BNP president Abdul Qaiyum Chowdhury.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the special guest, arrived at the venue at 10:54am.
The programme is being conducted by Sylhet metropolitan BNP acting president Rezaul Hasan Koyes Ludhi and general secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury.
Party leaders and activists were seen spending the night at the venue, laying mats and cloths on the ground.
The scenes were observed between 2:00am and 4:00am at the Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet city.
Around 2:00am, small processions of leaders and activists were seen entering the field, chanting party slogans.
Outside the venue, along the roadside, festoons and banners were being set up, while gateways were erected. Loudspeakers were installed around the rally ground, and digital screens were placed at different points.
The BNP’s election theme song was being played on the digital screens.
At the rally, greetings were delivered by Fazle Rabbi Ehsan, general secretary of the Sylhet City Chhatra Dal, who urged activists to work together in support of the ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol.
Sylhet metropolitan Chhatra Dal President Sudip Jyoti said, “Today feels like a dream for us. For a long time, we dreamed of holding a public rally in Sylhet with our party chairman. That dream has come true today. Now, it is time to look forward; by ensuring a ‘sheaf of paddy’ victory in the February 12 election, we must turn our aspirations into reality.”
Kamruzzaman Kamrul, the BNP-nominated candidate for Sunamganj-1, emphasised the need for solidarity.
“If we want the ‘sheaf of paddy’ to win, everyone must work together.”
Meanwhile, Sunamganj-3 candidate Kawsar Ahmed expressed confidence in a fair process, saying,“If the election desired by 18 crore people is held freely and fairly on February 12, BNP will win.”
Emran Ahmed Chowdhury, the candidate for Sylhet-6, highlighted the party's history of struggle.
“We have faced repression for many years, and the Zia family has suffered the most. On February 12, we must win this seat alongside the people and deliver all 19 Sylhet seats to Zubaida Rahman.”
Discussing the seat-sharing arrangement in Sylhet-5, Obaidullah Faruk, central president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, noted, “After 17 years, a fair electoral environment has finally been established. We have joined hands with the BNP because we believe the country will be safe under Tarique Rahman. To build a peaceful and model nation, the BNP alliance must win.”
Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury Mizan, a member of the BNP Central Committee, said, “Conspiracies are still afoot. We must defeat these plots and bring the BNP to power. If the BNP forms the government, democracy will be protected.”
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