The BNP is seeking to make the most of Chairman Tarique Rahman’s visit to Chattogram after 20 years and seven months by leveraging it politically. Preparations for the visit and a public rally are under way with the aims of attracting voters, narrowing gaps among party leaders and activists, and resolving long-standing internal rifts.
The party sources said candidates for Chattogram’s 16 constituencies would be introduced from the rally stage.
Tarique will address the public rally as the chief guest on 25 January at the Polo Ground in Chattogram city. The rally is being organised jointly by the BNP’s Chattogram Metropolitan, north district and south district units.
The party is making extensive preparations, with a target of drawing more than 1.5 million people.
Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman told TIMES of Bangladesh, “After a long time, our chairman is coming to Chattogram.
Not only party leaders and activists, but a large number of ordinary people will also join the rally spontaneously. The Polo Ground will see a massive turnout.”
He added that there was still no final instruction on where Tarique Rahman would go after the rally.
BNP International Affairs Committee Member Israfil Khosru said, “The long wait of the people of Chattogram is about to end.
There is huge enthusiasm among party leaders and activists centred on his arrival.” He added that according to preliminary information, Tarique Rahman may travel to Feni after completing his Chattogram programme.
The party leaders said organisational activities in Chattogram have long been marked by divisions and leadership disputes. They hope Tarique Rahman’s direct presence and speech will play a key role in reducing these gaps and restoring discipline.
At the same time, the visit is being viewed as an opportunity to attract general voters and the younger generation to the party.
According to party sources, Tarique will arrive in Chattogram on the evening of 24 January and stay at night. The public rally is scheduled to begin at 10am on 25 January and conclude by noon. Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Joint Convener Shawkat Azam Khaza told TIMES of Bangladesh that preparatory meetings have already been held, and several sub-committees formed around the rally.
Citywide campaign activities will begin soon, he said, adding that Tarique Rahman will introduce candidates for Chattogram’s 16 constituencies from the stage.
Among BNP leaders and activists, Tarique’s visit is being seen as a strategic turning point ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election, aimed at drawing voters, rebuilding organisational strength and resolving internal party disputes.
It may be recalled that BNP’s late chairperson Khaleda Zia last addressed a public rally at the Polo Ground on 9 January 2012. Nearly 14 years later, the venue is set to host another major gathering of the party’s top leadership.
Tarique Rahman last visited Chattogram on 6 May 2005, when he was the BNP’s senior joint secretary general. This will be his first visit to the port city since assuming the role of party chairman.
Although a programme for Tarique Rahman’s Chattogram visit had been scheduled for mid-January, it was deferred at the request of the Election Commission. The rescheduled visit has generated widespread enthusiasm among BNP leaders and activists across Chattogram.
