Massive turnout at Alia Madrasa for Tarique’s rally

One procession after another is streaming into the Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet as the BNP awaits the kickoff of its election campaign through a rally led by party chief Tarique Rahman.

BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and his wife, and recently departed former prime minister Khaleda Zia would also begin their election campaigns in the district, often visiting shrines before the rally.

Amongst the throng at the madrasa ground was Sona Mia, 60, who travelled from remote Tahirpur in Sunamganj. He said: “The late president Ziaur Rahman once stood on this very ground to to seek our mandate, and Begum Khaleda Zia has used this stage for every election since 1991. I have seen them all,” he said.

“[On Thursday] their son Tarique Rahman has come. Just look at the crowd, the processions -- you cannot count them. [Tarique] is Sylhet’s son-in-law. The pride we feel is different.”

Jubo Dal activist Zunaid Rahman, who came from Gowainghat in Jaflong, said: “[Zubaida] is a daughter of this region. That makes [Tarique] a son of Sylhet.”

Claiming that the largest concentration of Sylhetis live in London, Zunaid said: “From there, Tarique Bhai has learned many things and returned with plans for Bangladesh’s development. We Sylhetis are hopeful he will succeed in implementing his plans.”

Sylhet BNP President Qayyum Chowdhury said all preparations at the Alia Madrasa ground have been completed, reports bdnews24.com.

“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.