The BNP’s grand rally marking the formal launch of its election campaign began at the Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet at 10:50am today with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran.

Amberkhana Jame Mosque’s khatib, Maulana Saleh Ahmed, recited from the Quran at the outset of the programme.

The rally is being presided over by Sylhet district BNP president Abdul Qaiyum Chowdhury. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is present as a special guest.

BNP chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address the gathering as the chief guest. However, he had not arrived at the venue as of 11:10am.

Party leaders and activists were seen spending the night at the venue, laying mats and cloths on the ground.

The scenes were observed between 2:00am and 4:00am at the Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet city.

Around 2:00am, small processions of leaders and activists were seen entering the field, chanting party slogans.

Outside the venue, along the roadside, festoons and banners were being set up, while gateways were erected. Loudspeakers were installed around the rally ground, and digital screens were placed at different points.

The BNP’s election theme song was being played on the digital screens.

Several BNP leaders and activists at the venue said the rally is scheduled to begin at 11:00am.
Party supporter Pavel Islam arrived at the rally ground in a wheelchair from the Tilaganj area of Sylhet around 7:00pm last night.