Mymensingh Correspondent:

After 22 years, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman addressed an election rally in Mymensingh. The entire area erupted in applause and slogans as soon as he took the stage at a huge rally organized at the Mymensingh Circuit House ground at 3:30 pm on Tuesday (January 27). He responded to the greetings of leaders, activists and supporters by waving his hand.

Tarique Rahman reached Mymensingh by road on Tuesday afternoon as part of BNP's ongoing election campaign across the country. He was accompanied by his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman. This was the first time since 2003 that this top BNP leader had visited Mymensingh, which created extra enthusiasm and excitement among local leaders and activists.

Since the morning, leaders, activists and supporters from Mymensingh North and South districts and various wards of the metropolis had been gathering at the rally venue in separate processions. Besides, thousands of leaders and activists from Jamalpur, Netrokona and Sherpur districts took part in the public meeting by bus. After 2:30 pm, the Circuit House ground was filled to the brim.

While addressing the public meeting, Tarique Rahman said, this country belongs to the people. No one can remain in power forever by taking away the right to vote. If BNP comes to power, the people's lost rights will be restored.

He said, we want to build a Bangladesh where there is freedom of expression, the judiciary will be independent and employment for the youth will be guaranteed.

Tarique Rahman also said, people of the whole country including Mymensingh want change. This change will come through the establishment of a government elected by the people's votes. Candidates with the paddy sheaf symbol from the 24 parliamentary constituencies of Mymensingh division were present.

Candidates from Mymensingh district: Mymensingh-1: Syed Emran Saleh Prince, Mymensingh-2: Motahar Hossain Talukder, Mymensingh-3: M Iqbal Hossain, Mymensingh-4: Abu Wahab Akand Wahid, Mymensingh-5: Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Mymensingh-6: Akhtarul Alam, Mymensingh-7: Mahabubur Rahman, Mymensingh-8: Lutfullahel Majed, Mymensingh-9: Yaser Khan Chowdhury, Mymensingh-10: Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, Mymensingh-11: Fakhr Uddin Ahmed.

Candidates from Jamalpur district: Jamalpur-1: M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Jamalpur-2: AE Sultan Mahmud Babu, Jamalpur-3: Mostafizur Rahman Babul, Jamalpur-4: Faridul Kabir Talukder, Jamalpur-5: Shah Md. Wares Ali Mamun. Candidates from Netrokona district: Netrokona-1: Kaiser Kamal, Netrokona-2: Anwarul Haque, Netrokona-3: Rafiqul Islam Hilali, Netrokona-4: Lutfuzzaman Babar, Netrokona-5: Abu Taher Talukder. Candidates from Sherpur district: Sherpur-1: Sansila Zebrin Priyanka, Sherpur-2: Mohammad Fahim Chowdhury, Sherpur-3: Mahmudul Haque Rubel.

The public meeting was presided over by Mymensingh South District BNP Convener Zakir Hossain Bablu and was conducted by Divisional Co-Organizing Secretary Abu Wahab Akand, South District BNP Member Secretary Roknuzzaman Sarkar and North District BNP Joint Convener Motahar Hossain Talukder.

At the end of the public meeting, there was great enthusiasm among the leaders and activists. Many are seeing this rally as a milestone in creating new momentum in BNP's election campaign in Mymensingh region.