Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman walked around six kilometres with party leaders and activists from Nayapaltan to Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Saturday afternoon, marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day. Leading the ruling party’s procession, he walked for an hour without a break before reaching the destination.
Tarique started the procession around 3:30pm with a short speech from a temporary stage in front of the BNP central office at Nayapaltan. He then set off on foot with the leaders and activists and arrived at Manik Mia Avenue at about 4:30pm.
The procession passed Kakrail intersection, the side of the chief justice’s residence, Ramna Park road, Hotel InterContinental intersection, Banglamotor, Farmgate and Indira Road before ending at Manik Mia Avenue. Thousands of people lined both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of the prime minister, and rooftops and balconies of tall buildings were packed with onlookers. Smiling, Tarique waved back as people greeted him.
His pace drew the attention of those taking part. Many senior party leaders walking with him struggled to keep up, and top leaders of Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Krishak Dal and Chhatra Dal, who were at the front, also expressed surprise at his non-stop walk.
Additional Press Secretary to the prime minister Atiqur Rahman Rumon said the sight of the prime minister walking continuously was unprecedented in Bangladesh’s political history. He said it would deeply inspire people in the journey of building democracy. Rumon added that Martyred President Ziaur Rahman had walked mile after mile during his canal digging programme. There was no break in the prime minister’s rhythm anywhere along today’s long route, he said, adding that Tarique walked without stopping and urged other leaders to keep going.
BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, AZM Zahid Hossain and Aman Ullah Aman, Vice Chairman Nurul Islam Moni, Advisory Council member Zahir Uddin Swapan, Joint Secretaries General Khairul Kabir Khokon and Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Treasurer Rashiduzzaman Millat and Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku were among the central leaders who walked with him. Many of them, inside the prime minister’s security cordon, looked visibly tired after the long walk.
Earlier, around 3:00pm, Tarique went up on the stage. Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Farhad Halim Dolar and Vice Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan were among those on the stage, along with Amir Khasru, Salahuddin and Zahid Hossain.
From noon, BNP leaders and activists had been gathering at Nayapaltan in small processions from different parts of the capital. The area from Kakrail intersection to Fakirerpool intersection was packed with a huge crowd. Participants carried the red-and-green national flag and placards bearing photos of Ziaur Rahman, former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Caps and T-shirts in different colours made the procession look vibrant.
Tarique returned home on 25 December 2025 after nearly a dozen years of exile in London. Since then, he has spoken at various rallies and meetings, but this was the first time he took part in a party procession in person.