Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to begin the formal campaign for the 13th National Parliament Election on January 22, starting with a visit to the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) in Sylhet.
The announcement was confirmed on Saturday by Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, convener of the BNP Media Cell. The move follows the Election Commission’s schedule, which marks January 21 as the date for symbol allocation, allowing official campaigning to commence the following day.
Strategy and Route
Staying true to the party’s long-standing tradition of launching major political movements from the holy city of Sylhet, Tarique Rahman will offer prayers at the shrines before heading back to Dhaka by road.
The journey is expected to be a high-profile “roadshow,” with the Chairman scheduled to address the public at various points:
- Moulvibazar: A formal public rally is planned.
- Sreemangal: A wayside meeting (pathshava) will be held to engage with local voters.
- Highway Meets: Several other spontaneous gatherings are expected along the Sylhet-Dhaka highway.
“People-Centric Planning”
Speaking at an exchange of views with newspaper editors at a Dhaka hotel on Saturday, Tarique Rahman emphasized his role as a committed member of a political organization.
“The election is ahead. As a member of a political party, we will naturally go before the people with all our plans starting from the 22nd (January),” he stated.
While he refrained from disclosing specific manifesto details during the meeting, he signaled that the party is fully prepared for the electoral race.
Shift in Leadership and Schedule
This campaign announcement comes shortly after a significant shift in the party hierarchy. On Friday, Tarique Rahman officially assumed the role of Chairman of the BNP.
Following an emergency meeting of the party’s Standing Committee that same night, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the postponement of the Chairman’s previously scheduled tour of the northern regions. The Sylhet visit on January 22 will now serve as his first major public outreach since taking the helm as Chairman.
