Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in his hometown, Bogura, on Monday for his first official visit since assuming office on February 17.

The visit has sparked immense enthusiasm among local leaders, activists, and supporters, with the city adorned in banners and festoons to welcome him.

A bus carrying the Prime Minister and his entourage reached the Bogura Circuit House around 10 am, according to his Additional Press Secretary, Atikur Rahman Rumon.

The Prime Minister had departed from his Gulshan Avenue residence in Dhaka at 6:10 am, accompanied by his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman.

The Prime Minister’s itinerary began at 11:15 am with the unveiling of the plaque for the newly constructed multi-storey Bogura District Bar Association building.

Following this, he visited the district court to inaugurate a significant judicial digital transition: the e-bail bond system, which is being launched in seven districts, including Bogura.

The local sentiment regarding his return was palpable as citizens lined the streets from 9 am.

Abdul Halim, an elderly man from Sonatala, expressed his pride, saying, “Tarique Rahman is the pride of Bogura. He is now the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. I am standing by the roadside to pray for him. May Allah grant him a long life.”

Another resident, Sujauddin, echoed this sentiment, stating, “President Ziaur Rahman was from Bogura, and his son Tarique Rahman is now the Prime Minister. This makes us very proud.”

Rezaul Karim Badsha, the Bogura District BNP President and Member of Parliament for Bogura Sadar, highlighted the significance of the occasion, noting, “The Prime Minister is a son of Bogura, the beloved leader of the people of Bogura and of the country.

He has visited Bogura many times before, but this visit is special as he is coming as the Prime Minister.”

He added that the public’s excitement and emotion were exceptionally high as they had eagerly waited to welcome their leader.

The Prime Minister’s busy schedule continued with the unveiling of a plaque at the Bogura municipal building.

At approximately 12:45 pm, he was scheduled to launch an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign at the Ziaur Rahman Gram Hospital in the Bagbari area of Gabtoli.

His afternoon plans included the distribution of family cards at the Shaheed Zia Degree College ground at 1 pm, followed by the inauguration of excavation work for the Chowkidah Canal in Nasipur.

Before his main political engagement, the Prime Minister will visit his ancestral home at Bagbari.

At 4 pm, he is set to address a massive public rally organized by the district BNP at the Altafunnessa Playground.

His final official acts for the day include inaugurating the new building of the Bogura Press Club and the reconstruction work of the Baitur Rahman Central Mosque.

After completing his scheduled programs, the Prime Minister is expected to return to Dhaka by road tonight.

With Inputs from UNB