BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman formally launched his election campaign early today from his in-laws’ residence in Birainpur of Sylhet’s Dakshin Surma Upazila.

After offering prayers at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R), Tarique Rahman began official campaigning seeking votes for the party’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, while addressing a crowd.

After 22 years, Tarique reached his in-laws’ home with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, around 12:40am yesterday, where thousands of locals greeted them.

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Addressing the gathering, he said BNP’s politics is aimed at improving people’s lives and pledged to introduce family cards for low-income households and farmer cards to expand support for the agricultural sector if the party is voted to power.

“A large number of youths from Sylhet go abroad. We want to provide them with training so that they can earn better wages, which will help the country’s economy,” he said.

Tarique Rahman also announced that BNP would revive the canal excavation programme initiated by late president Ziaur Rahman to expand irrigation facilities and strengthen agriculture.

Criticising the past 16 years of governance, he said, “The dictator deprived people of their freedom of expression and voting rights. BNP seeks to restore those rights by returning power to the electorate through a credible election.”

Referring to his personal ties with Sylhet, he said, “Zubaida is your daughter — that makes me your son too. As your son, I seek your promise to ensure BNP’s victory in this constituency.”