RANGPUR, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman's scheduled visit to Rangpur tomorrow has created an unquenchable enthusiasm among the leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliate organisations, as well as the common people.   He will join the divisional level huge election rally of BNP at the city's Collectorate Eidgah Maidan at 4:30 pm on Friday for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections to be held on February 12.   BNP leaders are expecting that this visit will act as a 'tonic' for the BNP in all eight districts of Rangpur division on the occasion of the upcoming elections.    Immediately after the news that Tarique Rahman is coming to Rangpur was spread on Wednesday, there was great enthusiasm among the BNP leaders and activists and common people as well.    The ground and stage decoration works are progressing fast and extensive security measures have been taken to make the arrival and departure of people safe and secured with utmost caution.    Official sources said suspicious vehicles and persons are being checked by the joint forces along the entry routes of the city where a huge number of CCTV cameras have been installed.    Surveillance has been increased at entrances and important road junctions of the city.   Organizers are hoping that the election campaign will turn into a human sea, from where the BNP chairman will speak about the future development package, including the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan, in the underdeveloped Rangpur region.   He will introduce the party's nominated candidates for the 13th JS election in all 33 parliamentary constituencies of eight districts in Rangpur division in the tomorrow's election campaign at the divisional level.   Tarique Rahman, son of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and three-time elected Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, is coming to Rangpur after two decades since his last visit to the city in 2004 when he distributed warm clothes among cold-stricken people.   Leaders and activists of BNP, Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Mohila Dal, Swechhasebak Dal, Krishak Dal and other associate organizations are excited as a wave of unbridled enthusiasm prevails among them centering on Tarique Rahman's visit.   Maintaining the election rules and code of conducts, a campaign is going on to make the tomorrow's visit of BNP chairman Tarique Rahman a grand success.   Loudspeakers are being set up at the Intersections of Surovi Udyan, DC Mour, Zilla School, Post Office, Police Lines Mour, City Bazaar and different other points in the city.   BNP Organizing Secretary (Rangpur Division) Principal Asadul Habib Dulu today participated in a preparatory meeting surrounding Tarique Rahman's visit at the Rangpur Chamber Building, where six BNP-nominated candidates for six seats in Rangpur were present.   Talking to BSS today, Rangpur Metropolitan BNP member-secretary Advocate Mahfuz Un Nabi Don said that preparations are underway to welcome the party chairman Tarique Rahman after two decades since 2004 to Rangpur and make the visit a grand success.  Senior joint convener of Rangpur Metropolitan BNP and former general secretary of Carmichael College Central Students Union Shahidul Islam Mizu said Tarique Rahman's visit to Rangpur and the rally will have a great impact on the upcoming 13th JS elections.   "In the rally, Tarique Rahman is likely to present his development plans for Rangpur region and seek votes for 'Sheaf of Paddy' for BNP-nominated candidates in the 13th JS election. We are excited about his arrival after such a long time," Mizu added.   Rangpur District BNP convener and candidate for Rangpur-6 (Pirganj) constituency Md Saiful Islam said that all preparations are underway to welcome party chairman Tarique Rahman.    During the visit, Tarique Rahman will visit the grave of martyr Abu Sayeed, who was killed in police firing in front of Begum Rokeya University on July 16, 2024, in village Babanpur in Pirganj upazila at 3:45 pm tomorrow.    Later, he will join an election rally in Rangpur city at 4:30 pm.    Rangpur Metropolitan BNP convener and Rangpur-3 constituency candidate (Sadar and part of Rangpur City) Md Shamsuzzaman Samu said that there is excitement among the leaders and activists surrounding the arrival of the party chairman Tarique Rahman in Rangpur.    Rangpur Metropolitan Police have arranged all kinds of security centering the election rally of BNP chairman Tarique Rahman. In addition to the uniformed police, there will be armed and plainclothes law enforcement personnel.   Apart from the public rally venue, there will be routine duty at check posts, important entrances and junctions of the entire city. Besides, an adequate number of law enforcement personnel will be present in the field and throughout the city.   Tarique Rahman will leave for Bogura after addressing the election rally in Rangpur.  

KHULNA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - With only 14 days remaining until the 13th national parliamentary election scheduled for February 12, campaigning has intensified across all six constituencies in Khulna, with party-nominated and independent candidates engaging in extensive door-to-door outreach and public meetings. Candidates are making a range of development pledges and seeking voter support through mass contact, leaflet distribution and roadside meetings, creating a vibrant electoral atmosphere in the region. In Khulna-4 (Rupsha-Terokhada-Dighalia), BNP-nominated candidate Azizul Bari Helal, contesting with the 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol, has been conducting round-the-clock campaigning.  Addressing programmes in Terokhada upazila today, Helal said the constituency had long remained deprived and pledged to establish justice and build a peaceful and developed area if elected. He also exchanged views with farmers and held several roadside meetings during the day. Meanwhile, Khelafat Majlis candidate Mowlana Sakhwat Hossain, nominated by an 11-party alliance, carried out door-to-door campaigning, seeking votes for the 'Wall Clock' symbol.  Speaking during his campaign, he stressed the need to build a corruption- and extortion-free society. Later, at a rally in Rupsha, he said engaging directly with voters and listening to their concerns is a vital part of democratic politics, adding that people from various walks of life were showing support for his symbol.  Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) candidate Younus Ahmed Sheikh is also continuing door-to-door campaigning day and night in the constituency. In Khulna-3 (Khalishpur-Daulatpur-Arongghata-Jogipol), candidates were seen actively campaigning, promising various development initiatives.  BNP-nominated candidate Rakibul Islam Bakul said he would work to eliminate extortion and criminal activities if elected, pledging to ensure a safe and peaceful environment.  He also highlighted religious harmony in the constituency and promised equal rights, education reforms, improved healthcare, women's empowerment and youth employment. Earlier, he attended a school sports event at Pabla Sabuj Sangha ground as the chief guest. Jamaat-nominated candidate Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman has been campaigning in villages, markets and neighbourhoods since receiving his electoral symbol, conducting door-to-door outreach and distributing leaflets.  Independent candidate S M Arifur Rahman Mithu also carried out door-to-door campaigning in Khalishpur-Daulatpur, seeking support for the 'Deer' symbol, while IAB candidate Md Abdul Awal continued his daily campaigns from morning to night. During these campaigns, candidates exchanged greetings with voters and listened to long-standing complaints, including allegations of corruption, irregularities, partisan discrimination and deprivation of services. Candidates said they would take steps to address these issues if elected. In Khulna-2 (Khulna Sadar-Sonadanga), BNP-nominated candidate Nazrul Islam Manju conducted day-long campaigning in wards 16, 21 and 31 on Wednesday.  Addressing a courtyard meeting in ward-21, he said drug traders would not be spared regardless of party affiliation, calling drugs a major threat to society and urging the formation of a social movement against them. Throughout the day, he carried out mass contact and leaflet distribution, seeking votes for the 'Sheaf of Paddy'. Meanwhile, Jamaat-nominated candidate Advocate Sheikh Zahangir Hussain Helal continued door-to-door campaigning in different city areas, seeking voter support.  During the campaigns, both candidates spoke about local development plans and were seen interacting with voters, including women.