BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman -File photo

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 24, 2026 (BSS)- With hectic preparations in an atmosphere of 
joy and enthusiasm, the port city of Chattogram is ready to welcome and greet 
the BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman who is scheduled to deliver address at a 
grand rally at the historic Polo Ground tomorrow morning.
 
Continuous publicity through miking, colorful banners across the city, 
welcome processions at all ward units throughout the day apart from holding 
series of review meetings on last moment preparations by party leaders and 
workers have turned the port city into a vibrant and busy place of political 
activities. 

Tomorrow's visit of Tarique Rahman will be his maiden visit after homecoming 
from long exile while second visit after a long two decades when he had a 
hectic campaign in May 2005 in support of the party's Chattogram City 
Corporation (CCC) mayoral candidate. 

The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has imposed special restrictions to 
ensure public order and security in the city, including a ban on drone flying 
without permission.

The Railway Polo Ground field and an eight feet high covering 6,000 square-
feet giant stage at the west side of the field is fully prepared for 
tomorrow's grand rally. Central and local leaders inspected the progress of 
the field preparations at times and gave necessary directives to the logistic 
staff. 

Three tier bamboo barricades were erected in and around the podium to secure 
it from the overflow of the crowed. Around 300 mikes will be set up inside 
the venue as well as up to New Market in the east, Dewanhat in the south-west 
and Ispahani Crossing in the west-north covering three kilometers of the 
meeting venue. 

Law enforcement agencies and intelligence personnel have increased their 
presence and surveillance at the field and surrounding areas. Late BNP 
Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia last visited Ctg in 2012 and addressed a grand 
rally also at Polo Ground.
 
The leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliates in Chattogram are in a 
festive mood ahead of the rally. The city is bustling with preparations, with 
posters, banners, and festoons adorning various intersections and important 
locations. 

Meetings, processions, and campaign activities are in full swing. BNP leaders 
are optimistic about a turnout of at least 15 lakh people, aiming to surpass 
previous records.
 
City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain who is monitoring and coordinating the venue 
preparations and security arrangement along with BNP's Chairman's Security 
Force (CSF) told newsmen that they have almost completed necessary 
arrangements to hold the grand rally smoothly and peacefully. Separate areas 
have been designated for women, media workers, and party workers at the 
rally.

Tarique Rahman is scheduled to arrive in Chattogram by a plane at 7:35 pm on 
Saturday and will spend the night at the Radisson Blu Hotel here. He is 
likely to hold a meeting with local party stalwarts as well as candidates for 
a total 16 constituencies tonight. 

The next morning, he will attend a programme titled "Youth Policy Talk" at 
Radisson Blu conference room with the participation of around 150 students 
and youth from multiple disciplines. 

Tarique Rahman will share his views and make answers of queries by the 
participants on various important issues, party insiders said.
 
Following the rally, he will travel by road to attend various election 
meetings in Feni, Cumilla and Narayanganj.

City BNP leaders have discussed the security arrangements for Tarique 
Rahman's rally with the CMP Commissioner, who has assured them of full 
cooperation from Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP). 

The CMP has implemented strict security measures for Tarique Rahman's visit 
to Chattogram. CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz issued a public notice on Friday 
[January 23], emphasizing the need to maintain public order and security in 
the city area during the rally. 

The notice prohibits the carrying or use of weapons, swords, spears, guns, 
daggers, sticks, explosives, bricks, and stones in the city on January 24 and 
25. It also bans the display of objects against the security of the state and 
the carrying and use of placards. 

Additionally, flying drones without permission is completely prohibited in 
public gathering areas as per Sections 9 and 13 of the 'Drone Registration 
and Flight Policy-2020'.

The public notice also stated that legal action will be taken against those 
who do not comply with the order. 

City BNP President Ershad Ullah expressed his hopes for a record-breaking 
turnout at the Polo Ground.
 
He mentioned that all preparations have been completed to welcome their party 
chairman. The Polo Ground holds significant importance for the BNP and the 
people of Chattogram are eager to hear the message from the new BNP Chairman. 

Nazimur Rahman, member secretary of Chattogram City BNP, hopeful of a huge 
gathering of around 1.5 million people in tomorrow's grand rally. 

He mentioned that not only party members but also the general public are 
expected to participate in the rally.