BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is returning home on December 25 after ending his 17-year exile. A huge reception stage has been set up in the Purbachal 300-foot area of the capital to welcome his return, where leaders and activists from across the country have already gathered.
The stage and decoration work has been almost completed since Wednesday morning. The rally venue has taken on a festive look with banners, flags and lights. Workers and supporters from various districts including Kishoreganj, Chittagong, Rangpur, Bogra and Narayanganj are gathering in the area in advance; many have made preparations to spend the night.
Police and army patrols have been increased to strengthen security. Sources said efforts are being made to ensure a risk-free event through integrated security measures.
Party leaders are seeing this as a moment bigger than a political program. BNP leaders and activists say that Tarique Rahman’s return after a long absence is the beginning of a new political chapter. It is reported that he will go directly to the reception stage from the airport via Banani and Kakoli.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that the event could attract millions of people. In his words, “Purbachal will be a grand gathering of people on December 25th.