After 19 years, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to visit Bogura on Thursday. He is returning to Bogura, the ancestral home of his father, former president Ziaur Rahman, and his own electoral constituency.
BNP leaders, activists, and supporters are eagerly counting the days to welcome their leader. A festive atmosphere has already begun, with excitement and enthusiasm throughout Bogura.
Preparations are underway at the Altafunnesa playground in Bogura-6, his constituency, where a stage has been set up and banners and festoons cover the grounds. Loudspeakers arrived early in the morning.
Enamul Haque Suman, the person responsible for the venue, said the work will be completed on time. Water was sprayed in the morning to settle dust, and a generator has been arranged to ensure uninterrupted power, said Zahidul Islam, owner of Jasmin Decorators.
On the same day, Tarique Rahman will attend election programmes in three districts of the northern region. Nearly two decades after his last visit, BNP’s political base in Bogura and the region is making extensive preparations.
The rally was initially scheduled for 28 January but was postponed to 29 January (Thursday) due to flight ticket complications, according to party sources.
BNP Bogura district unit President Rezaul Karim Badsha told reporters that they inspected the playground. He said, “We expect thousands of people to gather at the rally.”
After the rally, Tarique Rahman will spend the night in Bogura. The next morning, 30 January, he will conduct election campaigns in different areas of Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency, then visit his ancestral home in Bagbari village of Gabtali upazila to meet local leaders and residents. He will return to Bogura town that evening and spend the night there.
According to party sources, he will attend another rally at the historic Madrasa ground (Haji Mohammad Mohsin Government School field) in Rajshahi around 12:30 pm on Thursday.
After the Rajshahi BNP rally, he will travel by road to Naogaon, where he is scheduled to join a rally at the traditional Etim ground around 3 pm. Following the Naogaon rally, he will head directly to Bogura, his parliamentary seat, where he will address a grand rally at the Altafunnesa playground at 5 pm as the chief guest.
On Tuesday, BNP’s central and local leaders inspected the Altafunnesa playground ahead of his arrival. District and upazila leaders have been visiting the venue daily. Party sources said people from different upazilas will head to Bogura to attend the rally.
BNP leaders including former chairperson’s advisers Mahbubur Rahman, Helaluzzaman Talukder Lalu, Ali Azgar Hena, MR Islam Swadhin, district women’s wing leader Nazma Akter, Zainal Abedin Chan, Advocate Hamidul Haque Chowdhury Hiru, Jubo Dal general secretary Abu Hasan, and Chhatra Dal president Habibur Rashid Sandhan said, “We are making every effort to ensure the success of the rally and the election.”
Locals also expressed excitement. Rickshaw puller Momin Akand said, “We heard Tarique Rahman is coming to Bogura. If he comes, we want to see him with our own eyes.”
Karim, a master’s student in political science at Azizul Haque College, said, “He (Tarique Rahman) is a son of Bogura. I am happy to hear he is coming.”
Falguny Akter, an employee at a private company, said, “Tarique Rahman is our son of Bogura. I heard he will come tomorrow. His arrival makes me feel good.”
Bogura district BNP sources said Tarique last visited Bogura on 24 December 2006. After 19 years, he will set foot in Bogura again on Thursday (29 January). His return has sparked widespread enthusiasm among leaders, activists, and supporters.
Everyone is waiting to catch a glimpse of him. Both BNP leaders and the people of Bogura are eager to welcome him. His northern Bangladesh tour was originally scheduled for 11 January but was postponed at the request of the Election Commission.
