By Md Mamun Islam RANGPUR, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - Around five lakh BNP leaders, activists and  supporters have left Rangpur division for Dhaka to witness the royal return  of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, a symbol of democracy and people's  hopes and aspirations. Tomorrow, December 25, Tarique Rahman's return to his homeland will end his  18-year exile that was conspiratorially imposed on him to undermine the  country's independence and sovereignty. Tarique Rahman will be given a grand reception on the occasion of his 'return  to his homeland' in the 300-foot area of Purbachal in the capital city  tomorrow.  Along with BNP leaders and activists, the news of Tarique Rahman's return to  Bangladesh has created great enthusiasm, hope and desire among the common  people of all walks of life in the eight districts of Rangpur division, like  other parts of the country. Senior joint convener of Rangpur metropolitan BNP and former general  secretary of Carmichael College Central Students Union Md Shahidul Islam Mizu  told BSS that at least 50,000 BNP leaders and activists from Rangpur will  attend the grand reception of Tarique Rahman in Dhaka tomorrow.  The leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliates will join the reception  event in Dhaka by bus, microbus, train and personal transport. Several  thousand leaders and activists have already reached Dhaka and taken up  residence in various places.    In fact, a festive atmosphere prevails among the party leaders and activists  of all eight upazilas in Rangpur district and Rangpur division as a whole  centered on Tarique Rahman's return to his homeland.  "Meanwhile, thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated  organisations from various parts of all eight districts of Rangpur division  have started going to Dhaka city. Many have been staying in Dhaka for the  last two days," Mizu added.    According to Rangpur district and metropolitan BNP sources, each of the  party-nominated six candidates in the six constituencies of Rangpur has made  preparations to gather in Dhaka with at least 5,000 leaders, activists and  supporters.    Two days before the grand occasion of Tarique Rahman's return home, BNP  leaders, activists and supporters have started going to Dhaka by bus, train  and microbus on the initiative of the parliamentary candidates from various  upazilas.    Most of the leaders and activists going to the reception ceremony are going  in groups. Party leaders are paying for their hotel and mess accommodation in  Dhaka and other expenses.    Some have also traveled to Dhaka in advance on their own initiative or by  their preferred means of transport to see the 'historic return' of their  beloved leader.  To make this moment of remembrance memorable by welcoming Tarique Rahman, BNP  grassroots leaders and activists are holding processions and meetings in  cities, ports, markets and villages daily in the past few days.  Senior joint convener of Rangpur metropolitan Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal Md Jahir  Alam Nayan said that the organisation has been holding congratulatory  processions in Rangpur city for several days, welcoming BNP acting chairman  Tarique Rahman to his homeland.  "Many of our leaders and activists have already left in advance to join  tomorrow's grand reception of Tarique Rahman in Dhaka city. Some are  currently staying in Dhaka and the others left Rangpur today for Dhaka city,"  he said. In the preparatory meetings, it has been decided that leaders and activists  of the metropolitan, thana and ward committees will go to Dhaka in groups,  apart from individual initiatives, by bus, train, and other means of  transport.  In addition, leaders and activists from different parts of the district have  started their journey to Dhaka. Some are going by party transport, some on  personal initiatives.  Member-secretary of Rangpur metropolitan Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal Nur  Hasan Sumon said that the people will be freed from the crisis in which  Bangladesh is in through Tarique Rahman's return to his homeland.    For this reason, there is a kind of joy and excitement not only among the  party members but also among the common people.    "For us, rickshaw pullers, van drivers, ordinary businessmen, young people  and those who are not involved in politics also want to go to Dhaka with us  and see Tarique Rahman up close. This desire of people is inspiring our  leaders and supporters," he said.  For this reason, in addition to the group, many will go to Dhaka on their own  initiative to welcome their beloved leader. So far, hundreds of our leaders  and activists have gone from Rangpur to Dhaka in several buses and  microbuses.   The leaders and activists are leaving for Dhaka in several hundred hired  minibuses, coaches, microbuses and special trains from Rangpur city and  Sadar, Pirganj, Mithapukur, Kawnia, Pirgachha, Gangachara, Badarganj and  Taraganj upazilas of the district.   BNP and its affiliated organizations have also formed a coordination team at  the field level to maintain party discipline regarding the journey to and  from Dhaka.  Talking to BSS, the ticket counter managers and employees at the Kamarpara  Dhaka bus stand in Rangpur metropolis said that at least a hundred buses  travel daily from Rangpur to Dhaka day and night. Advance tickets for most of  the buses have been sold.    Similarly, after checking at the Rangpur Railway Station, it was learned that  there are no advance tickets.    Wasim Bari Raj, general secretary of the Rangpur District Motor Owners  Association, said that 25 buses have been reserved from the owner's  association for transportation of leaders and workers of BNP and its  affiliated organisations to Dhaka.   "Hundreds of people are heading to Dhaka from Rangpur to attend Tarique  Rahman's homecoming ceremony. Now it is difficult to find empty transport  anywhere. The situation is not only with buses, but also with other  transport," he said.  Rangpur District Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal president Nazmul Alam Naju said, if  5,000 leaders and activists are taken into account from each of the six  constituencies of Rangpur district, the number of people comes to 30,000.  He said, "We assume that at least 50,000 BNP leaders, workers, supporters,  and ordinary students and the public will travel to Dhaka from Rangpur  tomorrow to join the historic moment of Tarique Rahman's return to his  homeland." Kawnia Upazila BNP convener and Rangpur-4 constituency MP candidate Emdadul  Haque Bharsha is currently staying in Dhaka.  He said that there are two upazilas in my constituency. He has taken the  initiative to carry the party leaders and activists and his supporters to  Dhaka by various means of transport including buses, microbuses and trains.  "Like me, the other five BNP-nominated MP candidates in the district have  also made arrangements to transport leaders and activists from their  respective constituencies to Dhaka and bear the overall expenses, including  food and drinks," he said.   "We believe that the 300-foot area of Purbachal in the capital will tomorrow  turn into an ocean of people to welcome Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh's most  popular leader and a symbol of democracy and development," he said.  

KHULNA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - Leaders of Khulna City Unit BNP, exchanged greetings with members of the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas on Tuesday night (last night). Khulna City BNP President Advocate Shafiqul Alam Mona visited the church and conveyed greetings.  He was accompanied by party leaders ChowdhuryHasanur Rashid Miraj, MizanurRahman Milton, Musa Hossain Khan, Sheikh FarukHossain, Noor HossainBadal, AbulKalam Azad, Sultan Mahmud, Richard Rana, Sekendar, Rabiraj, GaziAnis, MunniZaman, ShilpiAkter, Nasrin Begum, Shilpi Begum, Ananya Begum, SahidaAkter, Liza Khatun, among others. While exchanging greetings, Advocate ShafiqulAlam Mona said Christmas imparts a unique lesson of peace, harmony and humanity. “The ideals of human welfare, love and sacrifice left by Jesus Christ are extremely relevant in today’s society,” he said, adding that Bangladesh is a non-communal country where people of all faiths should live peacefully with mutual respect. Referring to the country’s political situation, he said democracy had been facing a severe crisis and people’s voting rights and freedom of expression had been curtailed.  “To overcome this situation, citizens of all religions and communities must unite to restore democracy by exercising their voting rights,” he added. Speaking about BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, he said she is currently undergoing treatment.  “People across Bangladesh and abroad are praying for her recovery. We believe that by the grace of Almighty Allah, she would be recovered soon and once again lead the struggle for democracy,” he said. At the end of the programme, he extended heartfelt greetings to the Christian community, expressing hope that peace, harmony and fraternity would help build a just and democratic Bangladesh. Religious leaders of the church and members of the Christian community warmly welcomed the BNP leaders during the visit.