A massive flow of people is heading towards the capital from the port city of Chattogram, as BNP supporters and people from different walks of life rush to Dhaka to witness what many see as a historic moment – the return of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman after more than 17 years in exile.
BNP leaders claim that several hundred thousand people from Chattogram city, and the north and south districts combined, will travel to Dhaka to welcome Tarique Rahman. Over the past few days, supporters have begun their journey by hiring trains, buses, microbuses and Hiace vehicles, while many others are travelling in private cars or making arrangements on their own.
BNP Assistant Organising Secretary (Chattogram Division) Mir Helal said that leaders and activists started travelling to Dhaka on Tuesday. From Chattogram district alone, he said, more than 100,000 people are expected to make the journey.
He said such a response had never been seen at any BNP programme in the past, adding that the turnout could be at least 10 times higher than at previous events. Helal added that more than 100 buses and 85 microbuses had been hired from his constituency of Hathazari alone to welcome Tarique Rahman.
Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman said many supporters from the city had already reached Dhaka, while others were still on the way.
He said the metropolitan unit had secured all the tickets for two trains and half of another, alongside tickets from other services. In addition, 100 buses and around 150 microbuses and Hiace vehicles were hired. Leaders and activists from each ward were also arranging transport independently.
Chattogram South District BNP Convener Idris Mia said at least 15,000 people would travel to Dhaka from different upazilas of Chattogram. Twelve buses were departing from Patiya, six from Satkania–Lohagara and four from Boalkhali, while supporters were also travelling from Anwara and Banshkhali. From Karnaphuli upazila, 20 buses were heading to Dhaka, along with eight Hiace vehicles from Satkania–Lohagara in addition to buses.
He said many people were travelling not only through organisational arrangements but also through the initiatives of nomination seekers and on a personal basis.
The return of Tarique Rahman has also stirred deep emotions among grassroots leaders and activists. For many, it feels like the joy of Eid, while others see it as a defining chapter in Bangladesh’s political history.
Anwar Hossain, a Jubo Dal activist from Karnaphuli, said Tarique Rahman’s return felt like Eid for them, adding that around 25,000 leaders and activists from Karnaphuli Police Station alone were travelling to Dhaka.
Another activist, Abdur Rahman, said Tarique’s return would remain a memorable moment in the country’s history, and that they were heading to Dhaka to witness the historic occasion.
Meanwhile, Railway Eastern Zone Chattogram Divisional Manager Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan said a chartered train was travelling to Dhaka from Cox’s Bazar via Chattogram to mark the arrival of BNP leader Tarique Rahman, while others had likely purchased tickets on regular services.
According to BNP central sources, Tarique Rahman is set to arrive on 25 December. He will be accorded a reception at the 300-Feet area in Purbachal, Dhaka, where the party expects a gathering of hundreds of thousands of people.
