Dhaka, Jan. 29 -- BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has begun his election campaign in northern Bangladesh with a visit to the shrine of the revered Sufi saint Shah Makhdum (R.) in Rajshahi.

He arrived at the shrine in the city's Dargah Para around 1:15pm on Thursday, where he paid his respects and later signed the visitors' book, party sources said.

Earlier in the day, Tarique reached Rajshahi Airport on a Biman Bangladesh flight before heading into a packed schedule of rallies across the northern region.

He is scheduled to join an election rally at the city's Madrasa Field at 2pm, where BNP candidates from 13 parliamentary constituencies in Rajshahi, Natore and Chapainawabganj are participating.

After completing the Rajshahi rally, Tariqu...