Tarique Rahman returns to Dhaka after 16-hour election campaign across districts

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka early on Friday after completing a demanding first day of electioneering across seven districts, as campaigning intensifies ahead of the country’s 13^th national parliamentary elections.

At the rallies, Tarique Rahman urged voters to support the BNP’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, as well as candidates contesting under seat-sharing arrangements with the party.

During his speeches, he outlined a series of policy pledges, saying that a BNP-led government would undertake nationwide canal excavation, introduce family and farmer cards, provide skills training for unemployed youth to create employment opportunities, and ensure honorarium allowances for Imams and Muazzins.

The BNP chairman began his election tour in Sylhet, addressing his first rally at the Sylhet Alia Madrasa ground at around 1:00 pm. He later spoke at rallies in Moulvibazar at approximately 3:00 pm and in Habiganj shortly after 6:00 pm.

The overnight campaign continued with rallies in Sarail in Brahmanbaria at around 10:30 pm and in Bhairab upazila of Kishoreganj after midnight. Tarique Rahman arrived at a venue adjacent to Narsingdi Municipal Park at around 3:00 am before addressing another election rally in Narayanganj shortly after 4:00 am.

Following the final rally, Tarique Rahman departed for Dhaka, bringing an end to a lengthy day on the campaign trail.

During several of the rallies, Tarique Rahman expressed regret for making party leaders and activists wait until the early morning hours, thanking them for their patience and commitment.

BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan said the party chairman concluded seven rallies within 16 hours on the first day of the election campaign. He added that the final rally took place in Rupganj of Narayanganj shortly after 4:00 am before Tarique Rahman returned to the capital.

The BNP is expected to continue its nationwide campaign in the coming days as political activity gathers pace ahead of the parliamentary elections.