BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to visit Barishal for the first time in nearly 20 years, on 26 January.
Tarique Rahman will be addressing an election rally at Bells Park in Barishal city, at 2pm on that day, says a press release.
On Wednesday night, the party’s Gulshan office informed the chairman’s adviser Mazibor Rahman Sarwar and Akon Quddusur Rahman, co-organising secretary of BNP’s central committee for Barishal division, about the matter.
The news has sparked widespread excitement among local party workers, who have already begun preparations to welcome the leader.
Barishal divisional BNP has called a preparatory meeting on 18 January at Barishal Club to finalise arrangements to turn the rally at Bells Park into a mass gathering. Leaders from all 21 constituencies of the division, including nominated candidates and top district, metropolitan and upazila BNP officials, are expected to attend.
Akon Quddusur Rahman confirmed that Tarique Rahman’s visit was approved at the central level. “On Wednesday night, I, along with chairman’s adviser Mazibor Rahman Sarwar and BNP’s nominated candidate for Barishal Sadar, visited the Gulshan office. The chairman instructed us to arrange his Barishal tour,” he said.
“Preparations have started to welcome the leader after two decades,” he added.
Former joint secretary of Barishal metropolitan BNP, Anwarul Haque Tarin, recalled that Tarique Rahman last visited Barishal on 14 May 2006.
“On that occasion, he inaugurated the party’s district and metropolitan offices, addressed a workers’ meeting, laid the foundation stone of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Degree College in Saheberhat and inaugurated a bridge in Bakerganj Upazila. At the time, he was BNP’s first joint secretary” Tarin said.
He added the upcoming visit signals new political expectations in Barishal.
News of the visit has generated joy among local leaders and activists, who have taken to social media to express greetings and congratulations.
Barishal metropolitan BNP convener Moniruzzaman Khan Faruk and secretary Ziauddin Sikder said preparations are underway to make the 26 January rally a mass event. Party-affiliated and allied organisations have also begun mobilisation for the visit.
