Tarique set to begin divisional, district tour next week to woo voters

As the 13th national election nears, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is set to begin his divisional and district-level tours to woo voters through presenting electoral pledges.

Party insiders said Tarique plans to visit all 10 divisions as part of the campaign, starting with Rangpur and ending with Dhaka.

Centring the tour, enthusiasm has been observed among grassroots leaders and activists while an atmosphere of mourning also persists following the passing of Khaleda Zia.

As part of the programme, Tarique will visit his ancestral Bogura on 11 January for a three-day tour, marking his first visit outside Dhaka in the run-up to the election. During the tour, he is scheduled to travel through Rangpur, Dinajpur and Lalmonirhat before returning to Bogura and then heading back to the capital.

BNP leaders said Tarique will outline the party's electoral pledges during the visits.

Since large rallies and public gatherings are not allowed before 22 January due to restrictions in the electoral code of conduct, he will only attend street meetings at district and divisional levels and distribute election leaflets. However, the detailed plans are yet to be fixed.

BNP Media Cell member Atiqur Rahman Rumon told The Business Standard yesterday evening that preparatory work to finalise the schedule was underway.

During the visit, Tarique is expected to meet families of the martyrs of the July Uprising and interact with general people.

On 12 January, he is scheduled to attend a mass prayer programme at Altafunnessa Playground in Bogura city for his mother Khaleda Zia. Later that day, he will travel to Rangpur. On the way, he is expected to visit the shrine of Hazrat Shah Sultan Mahmud Balkhi Mahisawar (RA) at Mahasthan in Shibganj upazila.

Besides, he will visit the grave of martyr Abu Sayed in Rangpur at a convenient time.

Bogura district BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha told The Business Standard Guest that party leaders and activists are mourning the loss of the chairperson, but preparations are being made within the limits of electoral rules.

Bogura Sadar Upazila BNP President Maftun Ahmed Khan Rubel said the party's acting chairman will travel through key points of Bogura city after the prayer programme before heading to Mahasthan.

Party insiders said Tarique may visit Cox's Bazar 18 January to pay tribute at the grave of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Wasim Akram while a visit to Sylhet 20 January is under consideration.

Tarique Rahman's Press Secretary Saleh Shibly said discussions were underway regarding the tours and it would be made public once the schedule is fixed.

At a meeting held at BNP Chairperson's Gulshan residence yesterday, Tarique instructed party insiders to identify the key problems the voters of Dhaka-17 seat face.

The meeting focused on reviewing election preparations and providing guidance on voter outreach.