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Published : 22 Jan 2026, 10:32 AM
The Government Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet has been prepared for the launch of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s election campaign.
The BNP leader will formally launch his campaign from the venue at 11am on Thursday.
Ahead of every election, BNP founder the late Ziaur Rahman and recently deceased chairperson Khaleda Zia used to start their campaigns in Sylhet, combining it with visits to different shrines.
A visit to the venue at 8am found several hundred party leaders and activists wearing yellow caps stationed at the Alia Madrasa ground. A stage has been set up and digital banners installed.
Bamboo barricades have been erected around the stage to create a reserved area for party leaders. Traffic has been halted on roads surrounding the ground. Police have blocked traffic on Chouhatta Road, Daria Para Road, Dargah Gate Road, Medical Road, Stadium Road, Amberkhana Road and Zindabazar Road. People are expected to gather on these roads as well as at the Alia Madrasa ground.
Organisers said more than 200 loudspeakers have been installed across the ground and surrounding areas. A large screen has also been set up at one corner of the ground to relay the stage proceedings.
Sylhet BNP President Qayyum Chowdhury said all preparations at the Alia Madrasa ground have been completed.
“All arrangements are finished. Now we are waiting to welcome our leader, Sylhet’s dear relative Tarique Rahman,” he told bdnews24.com.
“Since this is an election rally and it is the first time that Tarique Rahman will address the people of Sylhet; a memorable public gathering is expected at Alia Madrasa Ground."
Candidates from Sylhet’s six constituencies and Sunamganj’s five constituencies will attend the rally, Qayyum Chowdhury said.
Members of the chairman’s security force (CSF) have been deployed around the stage at the Alia Madrasa ground.
A CSF member said they have been stationed there since Wednesday night and that only designated leaders will be allowed near the stage.
Ahead of Tarique Rahman’s arrival, the entirety of Sylhet city has been decorated with banners and festoons. Candidates from various constituencies and district and metropolitan BNP leaders have put up banners welcoming the BNP chairman.
Rickshaw driver Miranul Alam said, “There won’t be any space left at the Alia Madrasa ground. So many people will come that many will have to stand on the roads.
“People have even come from Sunamganj since last night. Everyone has come to see Tarique Rahman. He is Sylhet’s son-in-law.”
Public enthusiasm for Tarique’s visit to Sylhet has not ebbed despite more than two decades having passed since his last trip there.
Hotel owner Sobhan Chowdhury, a resident of Naiorpul area, said, “Many people are looking to the BNP in this election. The party was led by Ziaur Rahman and then Madam Khaleda Zia. Madam has recently passed away. Naturally, everyone’s attention is now on Tarique Rahman.
“We hope that under his leadership Bangladesh will move forward in a new way. I believe today’s speech by Tarique Rahman in Sylhet will add a new dimension.”
Tarique arrived in Sylhet from Dhaka on Wednesday night with his wife Zubaida Rahman to formally launch the campaign.
After reaching Sylhet, he visited the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran, and also paid respects at the grave of MAG Osmani, the supreme commander of the Liberation War, at the graveyard at Shahjalal’s shrine.
