BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and reception committee member Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday expressed confidence that around 50 lakh people would gather in Dhaka for the reception of the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman.
Rizvi made the remarks while visiting the reception stage in capital’s 300-feet area. He said Tarique Rahman is scheduled to arrive the day after tomorrow, adding that people from across the country have already begun arriving in Dhaka.
“We can see people coming from various parts of the country. So, on 25 December, this place will turn into a grand reunion and a massive public gathering. We are confident about that,” Rizvi said.
He also mentioned that after the reception, Tarique would visit his mother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
On security, Rizvi noted that ensuring safety is primarily the responsibility of the government, with the party taking additional measures.
Meanwhile, a festive mood is sweeping BNP ranks nationwide, centered on what the party described as the historic return of Tarique Rahman.
Since morning, party leaders and activists have been visiting the stage area, carrying placards and chanting slogans as they prepare for the event.
Army personnel and police have been patrolling the area from early hours, and army teams have been inspecting the venue at regular intervals to ensure overall security.
In a related move, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport authorities have restricted entry for visitors and accompanying persons from 6pm Wednesday to 6pm Thursday, allowing only passengers, citing operational and security reasons.
