BNP jubilant over Tarique’s return, preparations for grand reception on

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has taken extensive preparations to accord its acting chairman Tarique Rahman a grand reception, with party leaders and activists brimming with excitement over his return. Tarique is returning home tomorrow after about 17 years in exile.

A wave of mobilisation has begun among grassroots leaders and activists across the country. Party workers from districts and upazilas are arranging buses, trucks and microbuses on their own initiative. BNP leaders expect a massive influx of people heading towards Dhaka from all directions.

To make the day of Tarique Rahman's homecoming a historic one, the party is leaving no stone unturned. From the central leadership to the grassroots, enthusiasm and vibrancy are evident at every level. 

Discipline committees have been formed with leaders from Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Chhatra Dal and Dhaka metropolitan units, alongside volunteer teams. Preparatory meetings and welcome rallies are being held nationwide. Special trains have been booked on 10 routes.

Tarique Rahman will land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:55am with his wife and daughter, arriving on a regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines commercial flight via Sylhet. He will be received at the airport by BNP standing committee members and will then proceed directly to the reception venue at 300 Feet Road via Banani and Kakoli. 

His wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their only daughter, Barrister Zai­ma Rahman, will join him on the reception stage. After the event, he will visit BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, and later move to his mother's residence in Gulshan.

'Fifty lakh people will attend the reception': Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Member Secretary of the Reception Committee, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, expressed confidence that around five million people would gather at the reception. 

"We can already see people coming from different districts. That day will turn into a massive public gathering and celebration," he said, adding that while ensuring security is primarily the government's responsibility, the party will also take its own measures.

Stage under construction

Construction of a massive stage has begun at the 300 Feet area in the capital. The stage is being built along a section of the Biswa Road–Purbachal-bound 300 Feet Road and is expected to be completed by tonight.

The stage will be 48 feet long, 36 feet wide and elevated eight feet above the road. Around 900 loudspeakers will be installed across the capital – from the airport through Abdullahpur, Banani, Mohakhali, Jamuna Future Park and along the 300 Feet Road up to Kanchan Bridge. The entire area will be under CCTV surveillance.

Allies from the previous simultaneous movement period have been invited, with reserved seating on the stage. It has been learned that party leaders and activists will not be allowed to deliver speeches. The main address will be delivered either by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir or Salahuddin Ahmed, standing committee member and convenor of the Tarique Rahman Homecoming Committee.

Public curiosity around the stage

Since construction began, crowds of curious onlookers – party activists and ordinary citizens alike – have been gathering at the site. Leaders and activists are arriving from different parts of the country, chanting slogans and carrying banners and placards. Idris Ali, who arrived from Naogaon on Monday to attend the event, said he would stay in Dhaka until Thursday. "We love Tarique Rahman and we love BNP. We believe he can change the fate of the country's people," he said.

Entry restrictions at the airport

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has imposed restrictions at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, banning entry of visitors and non-travelling companions from 6pm on December 24 to 6pm on December 25. Drone flights have also been banned in and around the airport and along flight routes, training, take-off and landing zones, unless special permission is obtained from the relevant authorities.

Medical teams on standby

BNP has formed mobile medical teams to provide emergency healthcare during the event. Party Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam said 30 mobile medical teams will be deployed, while nearby hospitals around the airport and the 300 Feet area will remain on alert.

Dhaka-bound influx

Leaders and activists from across the country are heading towards Dhaka. Plans are underway to bring three to four lakh people from each division and at least 30,000–40,000 from each district. BNP's affiliated bodies – including Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Krishak Dal, Sramik Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal – are also making extensive arrangements.

BNP Organising Secretary Advocate Bilkis Jahan Shirin said the party has hired 30 launches and more than 100 buses, with separate cabins arranged for women on launches. Many activists have already arrived in Dhaka and are staying with relatives.

Bulletproof vehicles

A bulletproof bus purchased by BNP for Tarique Rahman's security arrived in the country and was released from Chattogram Port on Sunday, reaching Dhaka on Monday. Earlier, a specially equipped vehicle – Toyota Land Cruiser Prado LC 250 – imported for his use was registered in BNP's name. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority has approved its registration and fitness, while the government has also authorised multiple firearms for security purposes.

Permission granted for reception

BNP has received written permission from the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner to organise the reception. The approval letter was sent to Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, confirming official consent for the event.

Special trains on 10 routes

In response to BNP's request, special trains will operate on 10 routes, with additional coaches added to several regular trains. Some short-distance commuter trains will remain suspended on Thursday. The special routes include Cox's Bazar–Dhaka, Jamalpur–Mymensingh–Dhaka, Tangail–Dhaka, Panchagarh–Dhaka, Khulna–Dhaka, Rajshahi–Dhaka, Jashore–Dhaka and others.

Party leaders and supporters travelling on these trains have been instructed to comply with the Election Code of Conduct 2025.