Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Thursday warned voters against what he described as misleading promises ahead of the 13th national election, as the party held its first major campaign rally in Sylhet.
Thousands of BNP leaders and supporters gathered at the Alia Madrasa ground on Jan. 22. Rahman arrived at the venue at 12:26 p.m. and was greeted with loud chants and slogans from the crowd, many of whom had joined the rally in small processions since early morning.
As he took the stage, supporters chanted slogans welcoming Rahman and urging voters to support the BNP’s election symbol, the sheaf of paddy.
Opening his speech in the Sylheti dialect, Rahman criticized a rival political party for what he said were unrealistic campaign promises. “Before the election, a certain party is promising paradise,” he said. “Paradise belongs to Allah. Claiming to give it is deception.”
He accused past rulers of suppressing dissent, restricting freedom of speech, and persecuting BNP leaders and activists. “They looted the country’s wealth in the name of development,” Rahman said, adding that the BNP seeks to change the political direction of the country.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also addressed the rally, saying Bangladeshis had struggled for democracy for more than a decade. “There have been enforced disappearances and killings, but people did not bow their heads,” he said.
Referring to the party’s founding principles, Fakhrul said BNP founder Ziaur Rahman envisioned a political ideology based on Bangladeshi nationalism and national development. “From Sylhet, the journey to rebuild Bangladesh begins again,” he told supporters.
Fakhrul warned against what he called misinformation campaigns by political opponents and urged party supporters to remain alert.
Many BNP activists stayed overnight at the rally venue, setting up temporary shelters. From early morning, supporters arrived from different parts of Sylhet and surrounding upazilas, wearing party-branded T-shirts, carrying banners, and displaying images of Tarique Rahman.
Party leaders said volunteer teams and discipline committees were deployed to manage the crowd. Separate entry and exit routes were arranged, while law enforcement agencies implemented multi-layered security measures.
BNP’s Sunamganj-1 candidate Kamrul Islam said preparations for the rally had been completed and described the turnout as unusually large. “I am seeing such a crowd after a long time,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sylhet Metropolitan Police imposed a ban on flying drones over the Alia Madrasa ground during the rally, citing security concerns. Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam said only law enforcement agencies were permitted to operate drones and warned of legal action against violators.
After the Sylhet rally, Rahman is scheduled to address public gatherings in Moulvibazar, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, and Narayanganj.
Youth Dialogue and Policy Pledges Earlier in the day, Rahman held a dialogue with young people in Sylhet, where he outlined several policy proposals if the BNP returns to power.
Speaking at a discussion titled “The Plan: Youth Policy Talk with Tareque Rahman”, he said the BNP would introduce a “family card” programme for 40 million households. The card would be issued in the name of the female head of each family and provide monthly assistance of Tk2,000 to Tk2,500, along with essential food items.
Rahman also pledged to modernize technical education, expand skills training for overseas employment, and place greater emphasis on foreign language education to improve job opportunities abroad.
The event was held at a five-star hotel in Sylhet and attended by students from various educational institutions. Following the discussion, Rahman proceeded to the BNP’s public rally at the Alia Madrasa ground.
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