According to BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan, Tarique Rahman departed Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 7:20pm on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, and landed at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet shortly after 8:00pm.

Party leaders said Sylhet, often described as the land of saints, was chosen to launch the campaign in line with BNP tradition. During his tour, Tarique Rahman is expected to present the party’s election commitments, outline its political agenda, and highlight plans aimed at restoring democracy, strengthening governance and addressing everyday public concerns.

Local BNP units said all logistical and organisational preparations have been completed to ensure the rallies and campaign activities proceed smoothly.

Party sources said that after arriving in Sylhet, the BNP chairman was likely to visit his father-in-law’s residence, popularly known as Minister Bari, in Biraimpur village under South Surma upazila.

He is also expected to offer fateha at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal and Hazrat Shah Paran before visiting the ancestral home of his wife to pray at the graves of deceased family members. A milad mahfil is planned there, with special prayers and distribution of shirni among attendees.

Earlier, BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson Dr Mahdi Amin said the party’s nationwide campaign would formally begin on Thursday with Tarique Rahman’s Sylhet visit. Speaking at a press briefing in Gulshan, he said the chairman would start his campaign by visiting the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal, maintaining a long-standing BNP custom.

On Thursday morning, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address his first rally at the Sylhet Alia Madrasa ground. He will then attend successive rallies at Ainpur playground in Moulvibazar Sadar, the proposed upazila parishad ground in Shayestaganj of Habiganj, Kuttapara Football Ground in Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria, and Bhairab Stadium in Kishoreganj.

While returning to Dhaka, he is expected to join roadside rallies in Narsingdi town and later in the Araihazar-Rupganj Gausia area of Narayanganj before reaching his Gulshan residence late at night.

Dr Mahdi said the BNP has officially notified the district administrations, returning officers, police and other relevant authorities in all concerned districts, including Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Narsingdi, Narayanganj and Dhaka.

Since its inception, the BNP has traditionally launched major election campaigns from Sylhet. Party founder Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia both began their electoral journeys from the city, and party leaders said Tarique Rahman is continuing that legacy.

Sylhet BNP leaders noted that Tarique Rahman last visited the city in 2005. After spending 17 years in exile in the United Kingdom, he returned to Bangladesh with his family on December 25. Days later, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia passed away while receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital.