The historic Railway Polo Ground has turned into a sea of people as hundreds of thousands of BNP leaders and activists gather to welcome Party Chairman Tarique Rahman. This marks his first political appearance in the port city in nearly 21 years.
Attendees began pouring into the venue at dawn, braving the winter cold to secure a spot. By 10:00 am, the massive grounds were filled to capacity, with supporters arriving in processions accompanied by drums, music, and slogans.
Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh on December 25, 2025, after 17 years in exile, arrived in Chattogram on Saturday evening. He spent the night at the Radisson Blu Hotel and is scheduled to reach the Polo Ground stage by 11:30 am.
For many, the event is deeply symbolic. "We used to come here to listen to Begum Khaleda Zia," said one elderly supporter. "After so long, we are here to listen to our Chairman, Tarique Rahman."
The Chairman’s last political program in Chattogram was in 2005 at Laldighi Maidan. His return to the city—the site of his father Ziaur Rahman’s martyrdom—is seen by party faithful as a defining moment ahead of the national elections on February 12.
Following the Chattogram rally, Tarique Rahman is set to return to Dhaka by road. He is scheduled to address five more whistle-stop rallies in Feni, Cumilla, and Narayanganj throughout the evening.
Chittagong Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Abul Hashem Bakkar and other senior leaders are currently coordinating the massive crowd from the stage, ensuring order as the city remains under tight security.
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