BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived in Chattogram after more than 20 years to attend an election rally at the historic Polo Ground in the port city today (Sunday).
He will join the election rally at 11:30am. Centering the visit, enthusiastic BNP leaders and workers have taken extensive preparation. Intense security measures have been taken in and around the venue of the rally.
The BNP leaders and workers started thronging the Polo Ground in tyhe port city from early in the morning. Some are going there together, while some went there last night. The surroundings of the grand rally have been flooded with banners and festoons.
City BNP former convener and incumbent City Mayor Shahadat Hossain said that the BNP chairman will hold a meeting with the Chattogram BNP leaders at night.
He is scheduled to attend a 'Youth Policy Talk' with 300 students from different universities at the hotel at 9:30am before attending the electoral rally at 11:00am at historic Polo Ground on Sunday," Shahadat said.
After facing 17 years of intense political repression like false cases, tortures and enforced disappearances, Tarique's visit in the port city for the first time in two decades is being seen as the beginning of a new political chapter for the party.
A festive atmosphere has been prevailing in the city, with leaders and activists from the BNP and its affiliated organisations carrying out extensive preparatory meetings and door-to-door campaigns.
Party leaders anticipate that Sunday's rally could become the largest mass gathering in Chattogram's history, with an estimated turnout of some 15 lakh people, irrespective of party affiliation.
Tarique is expected to outline his vision and strategic roadmap for the party and the nation at the rally.
Meanwhile, stringent security measures have been taken in Chittagong city centering the grand rally. Some 2,000 police personnel will remain deployed in the Chittagong city. Three-tier security measures have been taken dividing the entire Polo Ground area including the podium of the grand rally into three zones -- -- Red Zone, Yellow Zone and Green Zone.
The podium has been announced Red Zone where there will be BNP central leaders, Standing Committee members, and parliament member candidates from 23 constituencies of greater Chattogran will be able to stay.
The front portion of the podium has been designated as Yellow Zone where there will be arrangements of seperate blocks for journalists and women, and the entire ground has been designated as Green Zone.
After leaving Chattogarm, Tarique is set to address rallies at Feni Pilot School Ground, Chouddagram High School Ground in Cumilla, Digbaji Playground in Suagazi, Daudkandi Central Eidgah Ground, and Kanchpur Balur Math in Narayanganj.
Earlier, an aircraft carrying Tarique and his entourage landed at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport around 7:15pm.
Senior BNP leaders including Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed welcomed him at the airport.
A special bus carrying the BNP chairman left the airport around 7.46pm and headed towards hotel Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View, where he stayed overnight.
Leaders and activist of BNP, its affiliated organisations and general people greeted Tarique from both sides of the road leading to Shaheed Wasim Akram Expressway from the airport.
Supporters also gathered in front of the hotel to welcome their leader. Tarique entered the hotel around 8:50pm.
END/ASA
