Tarique Rahman's Return Creates Festive Atmosphere at 300 Feet

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Bangladesh on Thursday, ending a 17-year exile, with the party preparing a large-scale reception in Dhaka that it says will draw millions of supporters.

Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, is scheduled to reach at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:45 am (Bangladesh time) aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from London, party officials said.

BNP leaders say the return of their acting chairman will mark the beginning of a new political chapter, ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections.

BNP has made preparations to give a mass reception to Tarique Rahman at the 300 feet area of ​​Kuril in the capital, breaking all past records on the occasion of his return home.

Party leaders and activists have already started coming to Dhaka from all over the country. Preparations for the venue are also almost at their final stages. The party has already received formal permission from the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner's office for the reception.

A large number of leaders and activists have been seen around the venue since Wednesday. There is a festive atmosphere around the stage of the venue. There is also great enthusiasm among the leaders and activists. Many leaders and activists from all over the country will start gathering at the venue on Wednesday.

BNP leaders said that that they are expecting at least 5 million people to attend the reception. Especially behind this arrangement is the aim of demonstrating the party's strength in view of the 13th National Parliament elections.

After visiting the reception stage, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that they are expecting half a crore people to attend the reception of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Those concerned said that strict instructions have been given to ensure that no untoward incident occurs from the 300-foot public reception venue of Tarique Rahman's airport to Gulshan.

Leaders and activists have already started coming from all over the country to participate in the reception. Many will arrive by Wednesday. However, leaders and activists from Dhaka and surrounding districts will arrive at the airport area on Thursday morning.

In addition, the announced potential candidates, leaders of associate organizations will be involved in the entire process and make the program successful. Special trains will run on 10 lines across the country on Thursday.

BNP leaders and activists are heading to Dhaka from almost every corner of the country, including Cox's Bazar to Panchagarh, Khulna to Rajshahi.

The Railways said that an estimated 36 lakh taka in revenue will be generated through the special train and additional coaches. However, instructions have been given to strictly follow the election code of conduct.

Claiming that history will be created by the presence at the reception, BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said that the countrymen, including leaders and activists from all over the country, are eagerly waiting to welcome Tarique Rahman.

“History will be created in Bangladeshi politics on Thursday. Dhaka will turn into a ‘sea of ​​people’. We want to make the day memorable. I hope it will surpass any return to Dhaka in the past.”

Meanwhile, Tarique Rahman has already completed all preparations to return home.

He has received a travel pass. The BNP leader has booked a ticket on Biman Bangladesh Airlines' BG 2020 flight. The flight is scheduled to depart from London's Heathrow Airport for Dhaka on December 24 at 6:15 pm. If all goes well, the Boeing 787-9 model aircraft will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11:45 am on Thursday.

Tarique Rahman and five other entourage members have been booked in the business class of this flight. Among them are Tarique Rahman's wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Jarnaz Rahman.

According to reports, after returning to the country, Tarique Rahman will be welcomed at the airport by top party leaders. After reaching the country, he will go directly from the airport to visit his mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who are undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. After that, he will join the public reception.

The government has taken maximum security measures on the occasion of Tarique Rahman's historic return. Security has been strengthened at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and its surrounding areas.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has announced a ban on entry of general visitors for the next 24 hours from Wednesday evening.

In addition to special security including police guarding from the government, BNP's own security force will also work. In addition, BNP has officially applied for security through the Special Security Force (SSF). Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam is in charge of coordinating the entire security system.

BNP officials said that the then government arrested Tarique Rahman after the 1/11 incident in 2007. In 2008, he was released and sent to exile in the UK in the name of better treatment. There is great enthusiasm and preparation for Tarique Rahman's return to the country in the new environment. They believe that Tarique Rahman's return to the country is very significant in the current political situation of the country.