BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has started his national election campaign from Sylhet on Thursday.

The grand rally, organised by the Sylhet District and Metropolitan BNP, along with the Sunamganj District BNP, started at 10AM at the Alia Madrasa ground, where the party leaders and activists were seen spending night. The rally venue is packed with the party supporters.

In this rally, Tarique Rahman will introduce candidates from Sylhet and Sunamganj's 11 seats.

It has been learned that the BNP chief is holding a meeting with local young leaders at Hotel Grand in Sylhet, just a few minutes away from the rally venue. He is expected to join the rally after the meeting.

Preparations for the grand rally have been completed, with a 30-foot area in front of the venue barricaded using bamboo poles.A separate section has been reserved in the northern part of the barricaded area for the families of martyrs and those injured in the July incidents.

Meanwhile, Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) has imposed a ban on flying drones over the Alia Madrasa field during the rally, citing security concerns.

Earlier Tarique Rahman reached his in-laws’ residence in Birahimpur, South Surma of Sylhet at 1AM where he formally inaugurated the party’s electioneering and public outreach campaign.

After returning to the country 17-year later, this is the first time Tarique Rahman has come outside Dhaka to attend an election rally.

Sun News/ra