BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will launch his party’s formal election campaign with a rally in Sylhet today, marking his first visit to the city in nearly 21 years. He is scheduled to address supporters at Sylhet Government Alia Madrasah field at around 11 am.

Law enforcement agencies have imposed tight security across the city for the event. BNP activists have put up banners, billboards and festoons across Sylhet, including at the rally ground. Thousands of party members from Sylhet and Sunamganj constituencies arrived early on Wednesday night and many stayed overnight at the venue.

From Sylhet, Tarique Rahman will return to Dhaka by road, addressing two further rallies as chief guest in Moulvibazar’s Sherpur and Habiganj’s Shayestaganj. Party leaders said he may also hold rallies in Bhairab of Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Narsingdi and Narayanganj during the journey.

The BNP chairman arrived in Sylhet yesterday at 8 pm on a Biman Bangladesh flight. His delegation includes his wife, Zubaida Rahman, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, and several other senior leaders.

After arriving, Rahman visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal (R), offered prayers, and paid respects at the grave of late General MAG Osmani. He later visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Poran (R) before travelling to his in-laws’ home in Biraimpur, South Surma, around 1 am.

Addressing local supporters there, he outlined campaign pledges. “We do politics to change the fate of the people,” Rahman said. He promised to introduce a “family card” for general citizens and a “farmer card” for agricultural support if elected.

Citing Sylhet’s large expatriate community, he pledged to establish advanced training centres in every district to equip youths with skills for overseas employment. He also announced plans to revive the historic “canal digging” programme launched by former President Ziaur Rahman to ensure irrigation for farmers.

He further said, “People have been deprived of their right to vote for the last 16 years. We want to restore that right. This election is about returning the key of power to the people’s hands.”