Grassroots BNP activists cheer as Tarique Rahman returns home
Hundreds of thousands of people filled the Purbachal venue, with many supporters travelling days in advance
Grassroots activists of the BNP expressed enthusiasm today (25 December) as the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh after more than 17 years in exile.
To mark the occasion, the BNP organised a reception at the July 36 Expressway (300 feet road) area in the capital's Purbachal, where hundreds of thousands of people gathered. Party leaders and activists from different districts arrived to welcome their leader.
Some supporters reached Dhaka as early as Tuesday, while crowds began assembling around the venue from Wednesday night. By this afternoon, people continued to arrive at the 300 feet road, hoping to see Tarique Rahman in person.
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Nazrul Islam, a Krishak Dal activist who travelled from Kurigram, said he came to Dhaka to see the BNP leader up close.
"I wanted to see Tarique Rahman in person, so I came yesterday. I feel happy. Our leader has returned to the country," he said.
Earlier, the July 36 Expressway turned into a sea of people as party leaders and activists gathered to mark Tarique Rahman's return to the country.
Ershad Haque, a grassroots BNP activist from Barguna, said he travelled to Dhaka to witness the moment after what he described as a long period of political exile.
He became emotional while watching Tarique Rahman address supporters from a distance.
"Hasina used to mockingly claim that Tarique Zia was afraid to return home. Today, our leader has returned. Meanwhile, Hasina has fled and taken refuge in India," he said.
