POBNEWS24, Dhaka Fab 4, 2026 : For the first time, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will address an election rally in Barisal today, Wednesday. The stage for the rally has already been prepared. Leaders and activists have been gathering at the rally venue since early morning in separate processions. There has been great enthusiasm among the leaders and activists since morning surrounding this rally to be held at Bells Park ground in the city at noon.
At around 9 am today, it was seen that male and female leaders and activists were coming to the meeting venue in separate processions. Some were carrying national flags, some were carrying party flags. Some were wearing caps of different colors. The leaders and activists had started taking positions since morning to occupy the seats in front of the stage.
Mizanur Rahman, leader of the Juba Dal of Kalsakathi Union in Bakerganj Upazila, reached the meeting place around 9 am. He said that they had gone there before on the occasion of Tarique Rahman’s arrival in Dhaka. This time they have brought 40 leaders and activists to the meeting in Barisal. He said that their parliamentary candidate will also join the meeting place in several convoys.
BNP candidates from six districts of Barisal division will participate in the public meeting. Candidates from 21 parliamentary constituencies of the division are expected to be present. BNP alliance partner Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha and People’s Rights Council President Nurul Islam Noor will also be present at the rally. Partha from Bhola-1 constituency and Noor from Patuakhali-3 constituency are contesting the election as candidates of the BNP-led alliance. Chief guest Tarique Rahman will introduce the candidates to the people from the stage.
BNP’s divisional organizing secretary Bilkis Jahan Shirin said that there has been a lot of interest among the leaders and activists as well as the general public on the occasion of Tarique Rahman’s arrival in Barisal. Thousands of people from six districts are expected to participate in this public meeting. She said that the public meeting has been organized in one part of the city to reduce the suffering of the people.
He also said that Tarique Rahman will join the public meeting at around 12 noon. A separate place has been kept next to the stage for the family members of the July martyrs and the injured to sit. He will meet them and then go on stage.
While visiting the rally venue, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, advisor to the BNP chairperson and member of the National Election Steering Committee, said, “If BNP comes to power, Tarique Rahman will be the prime minister and democracy will be re-established through an accountable parliament and elected members of parliament. There is passion and love for Tarique Rahman among the people of this region,” he said.
He also said that no specific target has been set to increase the attendance of people at the public meeting. Those who are coming are coming out of love and passion. He also said that various demands of the people of Barisal will be presented to Tarique Rahman in written form.
Meanwhile, for the past few days, leaders and activists of the Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal, along with BNP party candidates, have been holding joyous processions and campaigning around Tarique Rahman’s arrival.
On the other hand, the local administration has tightened security around the public meeting. A large number of law enforcement officers have been deployed at the meeting venue, along with the police.
Barisal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said that security arrangements have been strengthened around the public gathering. All routes to and from the gathering will be under police surveillance. Separate parking arrangements have also been made.
According to party sources, after the public meeting in Barisal, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to go to Faridpur by helicopter. There, he will address another public meeting after noon and introduce the candidates to the people. At the same time, he will officially hand over the paddy sheaf symbol to the candidates.
