Tarique Rahman's rally in Faridpur today, festive mood across the city

BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman is holding a public rally in Faridpur today as part of campaigning for the 13th national parliamentary election.

On Wednesday, February 4, he will join the Faridpur rally in the afternoon after completing the divisional rally in Barishal.

This will be Tarique Rahman’s first direct public rally in Faridpur. He last briefly stopped at Faridpur Circuit House in 2005 while returning to Dhaka from Gopalganj. This time, a full-scale political rally has generated widespread enthusiasm and extensive preparations across the district.

District BNP expects more than 200,000 people to attend the rally at Government Rajendra College ground. Party sources said all preparations had been completed, with security strengthened in and around the venue. Alongside law enforcement agencies, BNP and its affiliated organisations’ volunteers are working to maintain order.

Mobile water tanks have been installed for attendees. To manage crowds, traffic restrictions have been imposed since morning at two main entry points to the city, the Old Bus Stand and Tepakhola areas.

Supporters from five districts of greater Faridpur region, Shariatpur, Rajbari, Madaripur, Gopalganj and Faridpur, are expected to join the rally. Candidates from 15 parliamentary constituencies in the region will be introduced at the event.

According to a letter signed by BNP chairperson’s personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Tarique Rahman will depart Dhaka by helicopter at around 11:00am for Barishal. After addressing the divisional rally at Bells Park at 12pm, he will reach Faridpur at around 1pm and is scheduled to take the stage at 1:45pm.

He will leave for Dhaka by the same helicopter at 2:45pm and is expected to reach his Gulshan residence at around 3:30pm. While the helicopter is expected to land at Faridpur Stadium, no official confirmation has been given.

A stage measuring around 70 feet in length, 30 feet in width and 7 feet in height has been constructed on the southern side of Rajendra College ground. Black-and-white banners supporting candidates contesting under the sheaf of paddy symbol have been hung across the field. Large LED screens have also been installed to broadcast Tarique Rahman’s speech.

District BNP member secretary AKM Kibria said all preparations were complete and that party activists and the general public were eagerly awaiting the chairperson’s arrival, adding that the first-ever rally had created extra excitement in Faridpur.