Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Rajshahi on Tuesday afternoon (Sept 29) on his maiden official visit to the northern division since assuming office. Touching down at Shah Makhdum Airport aboard a military aircraft at approximately 3:00 PM, the Prime Minister proceeded directly to the historic Madrassa Field, where he arrived at 3:28 PM to address a mass rally as the chief guest.
According to the initial itinerary, the Prime Minister was scheduled to reach Rajshahi at around 1:15 PM, with intervening plans to visit the Dharmasabha Temple in the Gonokpara area and take a midday recess at the Circuit House. Although his arrival was delayed, the itinerary also includes the distribution of financial incentives among local sugarcane cultivators during his stay. Following the culmination of his engagements in Rajshahi, the Prime Minister is scheduled to depart by military aircraft for Chattogram. Earlier in the morning, he visited the Radha Govinda Temple in Rangpur.
Ahead of the high-profile visit, extensive preparations were undertaken across Rajshahi city over the past few days. Municipal authorities carried out comprehensive road repairs, resurfacing, and painting along the Prime Minister's transit route from the airport. Walls along the procession path were adorned with murals, while drainage systems underwent maintenance and footpaths were cleared of vendors to ensure a pristine presentation. A grand stage was erected at the historic Madrassa Field, where uneven terrain was leveled under the supervision of party activists who monitored preparations for days.
Despite the rally commencing in the afternoon, enthusiastic crowds of supporters began gathering across various city neighborhoods from early morning, moving in processions toward the venue. By 2:30 PM, the sprawling grounds were filled to capacity as national and local BNP leaders delivered speeches from the stage. Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, who inspected the venue on Monday (Sept 28), noted that despite the short notice for preparations, the visit had generated immense enthusiasm and anticipation among local residents and party workers alike.
Local representatives highlighted that several critical developmental demands would be placed before the Prime Minister. Member of Parliament for Rajshahi-3 (Paba-Mohanpur) Mohammad Shafiqul Haque Milon stated that proposals would be submitted for establishing robust seed preservation facilities, upgrading the local airport into a full-fledged international aviation hub, setting up an agro-based Export Processing Zone (EPZ), expediting the construction of Rajshahi Medical University, and founding a full agricultural university, alongside officially declaring Rajshahi as an educational hub. This marks Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's return to Rajshahi following his previous campaign rally visit on January 29 earlier this year.
