BNP has formally started the countdown till Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returns to the country from the UK on 25 December, ending his 18-year-long political exile.

The country’s biggest active political party has chalked out elaborate plans to welcome their leader to Dhaka. The plans include separate offices, and house for the leader as well as a chance for some selected civilians to personally interact with him.

Tarique’s Adviser Mahdi Amin launched the countdown at a press conference held at a new party office on Gulshan Road No 90 on Tuesday afternoon.

At the press conference, Mahdi Amin also announced the start of a video clip making contest, marking Tarique’s homecoming.

The contest named “Amar Bhabnay Bangladesh” would run till 25 December, and anyone at home and abroad can take part in it, Mahdi Amin said.

The participants will have to make a one-minute video clip summarising their plans, thoughts, and visions on nation-building as well as constructive criticisms of the state of affairs.

The top ten finalists would get a chance to hold in-person talks with Tarique Rahman, Mahdi Amin told reporters.

The aim of the contest is to involve people from all walks of life in nation building efforts. When votged to power, BNP would remind everyone that it is a party of the masses by incorporating the general people’s thoughts in running the state, Mahdi Amid told reporters at the press conference.

Sources have said, BNP is preparing a residence for Tarique on Gulshan Avenue near Khaleda’s rented “Firoza” residence. President Justice Abdus Sattar and his cabinet allotted the house in Khaleda’s name following the killing of Ziaur Rahman. Recently, the interim government handed over documents of house to Khaleda.

A separate chamber for Tarique has also been prepared at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, and at the party central office in Naya Paltan.

The party has also rented a house in Gulshan, from where the leaders would supervise the party’s election preparations. Tuesday’s press conference was hosted at this office.