BNP chairman to launch election campaign in Ctg today

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 24: BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will start the next phase of his election campaign in the port city of Chattogram today (Sunday).

Tarique Rahman will come to Chattogram after long 20 years and seven months of his last visit. Earlier, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia last addressed a public meeting at Polo Ground in Chattogram on January 9, 2012. After 14 years since, Tarique Rahman will address the rally as new chairman of BNP at the same venue.

Tarique Rahman is scheduled to arrive at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport by a flight from Dhaka at 7:35pm on Saturday and will stay overnight in the city.

Today he is scheduled to attend a "Youth Policy Talk" with 300 university students at a hotel, where he is expected to outline the party's positions on education, employment, agriculture, healthcare, women's empowerment and environmental issues.

Later in the day, the BNP chairman will address a large election rally at historic Polo Ground in the port city. The party chief is also expected to speak at campaign rallies in Feni, Cumilla, Daudkandi and Narayanganj over the coming days. Local BNP leaders and activists aim to draw 'more than one million' people to the rally at Polo Ground. A 100-foot long and 60-foot wide stage has been built at Polo Ground for the rally.

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “Polo Ground gathering to welcome all people of Chattogram, not just political followers.”

nazimuddinshyamol@gmail.com