Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday described Bogra as an inseparable stronghold of the party and expressed strong confidence in local leaders and activists, urging them to take full responsibility for the campaign ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election.

Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with party leaders from his constituency, Bogra-6 (Sadar), Rahman emphasised the importance of active grassroots engagement, cautioning against complacency despite the party’s popularity in the district.

The meeting, which began at 11:00am, was held at the ballroom of a four-star hotel in Bogra. Rahman first listened to complaints, concerns and suggestions from local leaders before delivering his address as chief guest.

Some leaders at the meeting remarked that the party’s electoral symbol enjoys such strong support in Bogra that victory would be assured even without extensive voter outreach. Rahman, however, disagreed.

“I personally believe this election is extremely important. We cannot afford to sit idle; we must reach out to everyone,” he said. “One cannot expect victory by becoming detached from the people.”

He said BNP must secure decisive victories in all seven parliamentary seats in Bogra. “The larger the margin of victory, the stronger the reflection of the people’s mandate.” 

Rahman confirmed that he will contest the election from Bogra-6. However, citing extensive nationwide campaign commitments, he said he would not be able to devote much time to his own constituency.

Addressing local leaders, he said, “I have come to you at different times in the past. This time I have come as a candidate. But the responsibility of my election rests with you, as I have to travel across the country. I am entrusting you with the responsibility of this stronghold and its people.”

The exchange meeting, which lasted around one and a half hours, placed particular emphasis on strengthening grassroots organisational capacity.

The event was chaired by Bogra district BNP President Rezaul Karim (Badsha) and conducted by district BNP organising secretaries Shahid-un-Nabi and Khairul Bashar.

Among those present were BNP Chairperson’s advisers and former Bogra mayor AKM Mahbubur Rahman and former Bogra-7 MP Helaluzzaman Talukder; BNP central executive committee member and former district president Saiful Islam; national executive committee members and former district general secretaries Zainal Abedin and Ali Azgar Talukder; Bogra city BNP President Hamidul Haque Chowdhury; and Bogra Sadar Upazila BNP President Maftun Ahmed Khan, among others.

After the meeting, Rahman departed for a public rally in Sirajganj. 

Thousands of people lined both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of him. Responding to the crowd, he also addressed brief gatherings at Shahjahanpur and Sherpur intersections.