Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday led a colourful procession marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day, walking nearly six kilometres alongside party leaders and activists from Nayapaltan to Manik Mia Avenue in his first participation in a BNP rally since returning to Bangladesh last year.
Tarique returned to Bangladesh on December 25, 2025, after spending 17 years in exile in London. He later became prime minister following the 13th parliamentary election held on 12 February this year.
Since his return, he has addressed several public meetings and rallies, both before the election and after assuming office as prime minister. However, Saturday's procession marked his first participation in a BNP rally since returning to the country and his first such appearance as the party chairman.
The procession began in front of the BNP's central office at Nayapaltan at 3:30pm, following a brief speech by Tarique, and ended at Manik Mia Avenue around 4:30pm after passing through several major roads in the capital.
The procession moved through Kakrail intersection, past the Chief Justice's residence and along Ramna Park Road before passing Hotel InterContinental intersection, Banglamotor, Farmgate and Indira Road.
Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon described the sight of a prime minister walking continuously for such a long distance as unprecedented in Bangladesh.
“I believe this will inspire the people of the country in their journey towards building democracy,” he said.
Rumon recalled that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had also walked miles during canal-digging programmes.
“Throughout the route, there was no break in the Prime Minister's walking pace. He kept walking continuously and even encouraged other leaders, telling them to keep walking,” he added.
Among the senior BNP leaders who accompanied Tarique were Standing Committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, AZM Zahid Hossain and Amanullah Aman; Vice-Chairman Nurul Islam Moni; Advisory Council member Zahir Uddin Swapon; Joint Secretaries General Khairul Kabir Khokon and Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel; Treasurer Rashiduzzaman Millat; and Publicity Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku.
Strict security measures were in place along the entire route of the procession.
Members of the Special Security Force (SSF), President Guard Regiment (PGR), Special Response Battalion (SRB), police, Detective Branch (DB), various intelligence agencies and Fire Service personnel were deployed to ensure security.
Earlier, Tarique arrived at a temporary stage set up in front of the BNP central office around 3pm and delivered a brief speech before inaugurating the procession.
BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru, Salahuddin, Zahid and Farhad Halim Doner, and Vice-Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan were among the leaders present on the stage.
Party leaders and activists began gathering at Nayapaltan in small processions from noon. Thousands of leaders, activists and supporters thronged the area from Kakrail intersection to Fakirerpool, turning the stretch into a sea of people.
Many carried Bangladesh's national flag and placards bearing portraits of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, former prime minister Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman. Colourful caps and T-shirts worn by party activists added to the festive atmosphere.