[🇧🇩] Monitoring the political activities of BNP

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Tarique Rahman applies for 'travel pass' to return home

BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has applied for a “travel pass” to return to the country on 25 December. He submitted the application to the Bangladesh High Commission in London. A source in the United Kingdom confirmed the information to Prothom Alo on Thursday evening, saying that...

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Tarique Rahman applies for 'travel pass' to return home

Diplomatic Correspondent Dhaka
Updated: 18 Dec 2025, 22: 06

BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, at the City Pavilion Hall in London.GR Sohel

BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has applied for a “travel pass” to return to the country on 25 December.

He submitted the application to the Bangladesh High Commission in London.

A source in the United Kingdom confirmed the information to Prothom Alo on Thursday evening, saying that Tarique Rahman’s application for a travel pass has already been submitted to the Bangladesh High Commission.

Exiled in London for political reasons, Tarique Rahman did not receive a Bangladeshi passport after its validity expired.

Although there was an opportunity to apply for passport renewal following the fall of the Awami League government in last year’s uprising, he did not do so. Under the current circumstances, he will therefore need to travel on a travel pass to return to Bangladesh as a Bangladeshi citizen.

Last month in Dhaka, responding to journalists’ questions at an event, foreign adviser Touhid Hossain said there were no restrictions on Tarique Rahman’s return to the country and that a travel pass could be issued within a day. In this regard, he said, “The rule is that if someone does not have a passport or if it has expired and they wish to return, we issue a one-time pass for a single entry into the country. It takes one day. So, if he says today that he wants to return, we could issue it tomorrow, and he could board a plane the day after. There is no problem. We can issue it.”

Tarique Rahman was arrested in 2007 following the political changes of 11 January. After being released from prison in 2008, he travelled to the United Kingdom with his family for medical treatment and has remained there since.

After more than 17 years, Tarique Rahman is returning to Bangladesh from the United Kingdom on 25 December. He will arrive at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:55am that day on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.

BNP is making special arrangements to mark Tarique Rahman’s return as a memorable event. The party’s Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said on Thursday, “We want his historic return to surpass all precedents set in the past 55 years and to be so memorable that no similar historic event occurs in the next 55 years. All our arrangements are aimed at making it truly unforgettable.”

Tarique Rahman’s mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since 23 November. After returning to the country, Tarique Rahman may go directly to the hospital to see his mother. Therefore, according to Salahuddin Ahmed, a suitable venue near the airport and Evercare Hospital is being sought to receive him.​

 

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Some are trying to create anarchy in the country: Tarique Rahman

BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman has warned party leaders to remain vigilant, saying the days ahead will not be easy. Anarchy has begun in different parts of the country, and some are trying to create disorder.

en.prothomalo.com

Some are trying to create anarchy in the country: Tarique Rahman
Staff Correspondent Bogura
Published: 21 Dec 2025, 20: 53

BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman speaks at the inauguration ceremony of a digital memorial in remembrance of the July martyrs at the Shaheed Titu Auditorium in Edward Park, Bogura municipality on 21 December 2025. Prothom Alo

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has warned party leaders and activists to remain vigilant, saying the days ahead will not be easy. Anarchy has begun in different parts of the country, and some are trying to create disorder. Everyone must stay alert, he said.

Tarique Rahman made these remarks today, Sunday afternoon while speaking online as the chief guest at the inauguration of a digital memorial for the July martyrs at the Shaheed Titu Auditorium in Edward Park, Bogura municipality.

The BNP acting chairperson said, “Shaheed Osman Hadi was on the path of democracy. He was a candidate who believed in democratic and electoral politics. If we are to honour Shaheed Hadi, the July martyrs and fighters, and the martyrs and fighters of 1971, then we must have one clear goal, to establish peace for the people of this country, to work for the country, and to move the nation forward. Our aim and purpose must be one, work to build the country, Bangladesh comes first.”

Referring to the successes of two BNP leaders in running the state in the past, Tarique Rahman said BNP founder martyred president Ziaur Rahman rescued the country from the brink of destruction. BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, he said, saved the country from autocracy in 1991 and gradually steered it from the edge of ruin towards development.

“We have once again been given an opportunity,” he added. “We must build a healthcare system for nearly 200 million (20 crore) people, create a quality education system for future generations, ensure employment for young people, and ensure that women do not fall behind. We must work so that women are educated and able to stand on a strong economic footing. The country’s economic condition is not good. We must work hard to bring the country back from the brink of destruction.”

Calling for unity among all, Tarique Rahman said, “There is much work ahead. Those who believe in democracy, whether they are BNP leaders and activists or those of other parties must all remain united.”

Among others, BNP chairperson’s advisers AKM Mahbubur Rahman and Helaluzzaman Talukder, former district BNP president Saiful Islam, former district BNP convener and BNP candidate for Bogura-5 Golam Md Siraj, BNP candidate for Bogura-1 and central committee member Kazi Rafiqul Islam, and BNP candidate for Bogura-4 and district BNP acting secretary Mosharraf Hossain also addressed the programme chaired by Bogura district BNP president Rezaul Karim.​

 

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How BNP wants to build the country

A political party’s future largely depends on how effectively it can promote its people-oriented programmes, and electoral victory also depends significantly on public-friendly initiatives

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How BNP wants to build the country

Salahuddin Ahmed Raihan
Published: 22 Dec 2025, 16: 41

Perhaps for the first time in Bangladesh’s history, a political party has arranged training for its own leaders and activists to ensure that its specific programmes reach everyone, from urban citizens to marginalised communities. From 7 to 13 December, BNP provided training on eight topics to leaders and activists from its affiliated organisations as well as the main party.

The “Nation-Building Programme” functioned not only as a set of training workshops, but also, through these workshops, outlined in broad terms what the BNP, as a party, intends to do for the people in the public sphere. Through nine leaflets, the party has presented its future plans on issues such as health, education, women, farmers, employment, sports, imams and muezzins as well as leaders of other religions, climate and agriculture, corruption, and more.

Essentially, in every election held since Bangladesh’s independence, political parties have published manifestos outlining what they would do if elected. The BNP will likely publish its manifesto in due course as well. However, a manifesto is a fairly large booklet that usually contains detailed programmes. It is difficult to convey future plans to ordinary people through such a bulky publication. I believe that is why the BNP has undertaken this kind of innovative initiative, which I hope will prove quite effective.

Women: BNP has outlined a key framework for its core plan for women in the country and the kinds of initiatives it intends to take to improve their socio-economic conditions. This is the “Family Card.” By issuing this Family Card to the female head of a household, the party aims to empower women and make them self-reliant. It appears this will make a significant contribution for marginalised women, as the Family Card will provide monthly financial assistance or food support ranging from Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,500.

Health: The health-related leaflet seeks to provide guidelines to ensure that people receive primary healthcare and corruption-free medical services. Alongside a target of recruiting 100,000 new health workers, it proposes measures to improve service quality at union-, upazila-, and district-level health centres. A completely new initiative BNP plans to introduce is public–private partnerships to ensure that ordinary people can quickly access treatment for life-threatening and critical illnesses.

BNP founder and martyred President Ziaur Rahman once took a groundbreaking initiative through canal excavation programmes. The BNP has pledged to revive this canal excavation initiative.

It is often seen that cancer patients face long delays in getting chemotherapy or radiotherapy appointments at government hospitals, while in many cases equipment remains out of order. To ensure swift healthcare for such patients, the government would partner with private hospitals to provide services. Necessary policies would be adopted if BNP forms a government. The same approach would apply to other complex diseases. Arrangements would also be made to provide free medicines for primary healthcare, low-cost medicines for deadly diseases such as cancer, stroke, and diabetes, and, above all, to carry out science-based mosquito control and treatment programmes.

Agriculture: Special incentives for farmers have been offered, to varying degrees, by almost every government. However, this would be the first initiative to introduce a fully digitalised “Farmer Card.” This card would contain information on various government benefits, ensuring farmers are not exploited by middlemen. Through the card, farmers would be guaranteed fair prices for fertiliser, seeds, and pesticides; fair returns for agricultural produce; access to agricultural loans on easy terms; and agricultural insurance facilities. In addition, arrangements would be made to provide updated weather and market information through mobile apps. Crop healthcare services would also be digitalised. Fish farmers and livestock farmers would also be brought under this card system.

Employment: A vast segment of Bangladesh’s population, especially educated youth, remains outside employment. The BNP has placed major emphasis on employment in its plans. Through initiatives such as introducing international payment gateways including PayPal for freelancers; organising nationwide and campus-based innovation idea competitions for young people, with startup funds, training, and technical support for winners; adopting investment policies to make job creation easier and reducing bureaucratic hurdles for domestic and foreign investors; launching targeted employment programmes for the uneducated rural population, homemakers, the elderly, and the long-term unemployed; and ensuring merit-based government recruitment—the BNP plans to take immediate and effective steps to create 10 million jobs.

Education: With the slogan “Joyful education, skilled manpower, and a modern Bangladesh,” the plan outlines initiatives to modernise the education system. These include “one teacher, one tablet” at the primary and secondary levels; compulsory third-language education; establishment of multimedia classrooms; technical education for all; prioritising good health and nutrition; and ensuring improved economic and social status for both cadre and non-cadre teachers—aiming to make the education system student-friendly and teacher-friendly.

Climate and Environment: BNP founder and martyred President Ziaur Rahman once took a groundbreaking initiative through canal excavation programmes. The BNP has pledged to revive this canal excavation initiative. According to its priorities, 20,000 kilometres of canals and rivers would be re-excavated to ensure water flow. The party has also proposed the Teesta Barrage Development and Padma Barrage projects. To ensure pollution-free air, it plans to plant 250 million trees over five years. Through integrated waste management, initiatives would be taken to produce energy and organic fertiliser, and waste recycling would be promoted to keep the environment pollution-free.

Sports: Initiatives would be taken to make sports compulsory from Class Four. BNP previously launched talent hunts in music through the “Notun Kuri” programme. This time, through a “Notun Kuri Sports” programme, it plans to provide scholarships to talented student athletes aged 12 to 14. Other initiatives include plans to build sports villages with indoor facilities in all 64 districts; establish BKSP branches in every divisional city; ensure adequate playgrounds in all metropolitan areas and rural regions; provide sporting opportunities at national and international levels for people with special needs and the underprivileged; and appoint sports officers and physical education teachers in all upazilas—efforts aimed at taking the country’s sports sector to new heights.

Khatibs, Imams, Muezzins, and leaders of other religions: For the first time, arrangements would be made to provide monthly honorariums to khatibs, imams, and muezzins. Special allowances during religious festivals, skills-development training to create alternative employment opportunities, and initiatives to enhance their state recognition have been proposed. Monthly honorariums and festival allowances would also be provided to places of worship of other religions (Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and others), ensuring equal benefits for all.

Through these eight leaflets, the BNP aims to present some of its flagship programmes to the public in a way that is easy to understand and communicate. A political party’s future largely depends on how effectively it can promote its people-oriented programmes in the public sphere, and electoral victory also depends significantly on public-friendly initiatives. The Family Card, Farmer Card, and public–private partnership-based healthcare system are all new additions in the context of Bangladesh.

I believe that proper implementation and success of these programmes would significantly transform the country’s socio-economic conditions.

This new form of electoral campaigning by the BNP will not remain confined to rhetoric alone. There is an expectation that, if elected, the party will implement these commitments to the people with the highest priority in a corruption-free environment and will continue people-oriented programmes.

* Salahuddin Ahmed Raihan is an engineer, columnist, and political analyst​

 

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Rumeen Farhana to run as independent candidate in Brahmanbaria-2 despite BNP’s alliance decision

Former BNP lawmaker says she will resign from party posts before filing papers

www.thedailystar.net

Rumeen Farhana to run as independent candidate in Brahmanbaria-2 despite BNP’s alliance decision

Former BNP lawmaker says she will resign from party posts before filing papers

Photo: Wikipedia/ Collected

Former BNP lawmaker Barrister Rumeen Farhana today said she will contest the upcoming national election from Brahmanbaria-2 as an independent candidate after failing to secure party nomination.

The constituency comprises Sarail, Ashuganj and parts of Bijoynagar upazilas.

At a press conference in Dhaka's Gulshan today, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party had left four constituencies to its alliance partner and would not nominate candidates in those seats.

He also warned of organisational action against anyone contesting independently against party decisions.

Under the agreement, Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam's central Vice-President Maulana Junayed Al Habib is contesting from Brahmanbaria-2.

Despite the party's decision not to field a candidate there, Rumeen has made it clear that she will stay in the race.

Talking to this correspondent over phone, Rumeen said she will contest the election as an independent candidate.

Asked whether contesting in a seat left for an alliance partner could subject her to strict disciplinary action by the party, Rumeen said she would resign from her party posts with dignity before purchasing the nomination paper. She plans to collect the forms within the next couple of days, she said.

"I hope the love and support of the people of this area are still with me," she said.

Besides, SN Tarun Dey, secretary general of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Front and a member of the district BNP, and Akhtar Hossain, also a district BNP member, have confirmed to this correspondent that they will also contest the election as independent candidates.

On November 3, BNP announced a preliminary list of candidates for 237 constituencies, leaving Brahmanbaria-2 without a nominee. Since then, local party leaders assumed the nomination would go to the alliance partner. However, Rumeen Farhana continued her campaign activities.​

 

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All set for Tarique’s homecoming

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Bangladesh tomorrow with his wife and daughter after 17 years in exile.

www.thedailystar.net

All set for Tarique’s homecoming

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Bangladesh tomorrow with his wife and daughter after 17 years in exile.

The family will depart from London's Heathrow Airport at 6:15pm Bangladesh time on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. They are expected to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka around noon tomorrow via Sylhet.

After landing, he will be received by BNP Standing Committee members. He will then proceed by road to a reception programme at the 300 Feet area in Purbachal. Party leaders and activists will line both sides of the road to greet him.

Following his speech from the stage, Tarique will travel by road to Evercare Hospital to visit his ailing mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment there for over a month.

After meeting his mother, he will go to Firoza in Gulshan, where he will stay.

The BNP has taken extensive preparations for Tarique's homecoming.

The party expects around 50 lakh people to gather in Dhaka on the day, according to Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of BNP. Supporters will stand along both sides of the road from the airport to the 300 Feet area to welcome him.

Security is being seen as a major challenge, particularly in managing the crowd around Tarique's motorcade. A BNP team held a meeting last night with senior officials of various law enforcement agencies to discuss security arrangements.

The overall responsibility for Tarique's security from the airport to Gulshan has been assigned to AKM Shamsul Islam. Under his leadership, multiple teams, including the chairperson's security force, will be deployed. Members of Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal will also assist in maintaining discipline.

Meanwhile, entry to the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area will remain restricted to passengers from 6:00pm today until 6:00pm tomorrow for his arrival, the authorities said.

A stage is being prepared at the 300 Feet area to welcome Tarique.

BNP standing committee members, leaders of political parties that joined the simultaneous movement and prominent figures will be present. Only Tarique will speak from the stage.

To broadcast his speech, around 1,000 microphones are being installed across the airport area, Purbachal, Kanchan Bridge, Abdullahpur, Banani, Mohakhali and surrounding locations.

Thousands of billboards and posters have been set up along the 300 Feet road from the airport to Gulshan. BNP has also arranged monitors for live telecast.

Leaders and activists from Dhaka and outside the capital will begin taking positions in the area from today, the party said.

BNP leaders and activists have already held celebratory processions in Dhaka and across the country. Leaders from districts are arriving in Dhaka from today, using buses, cars and launches arranged by the party.

Bangladesh Railway will operate 10 special trains to bring BNP supporters to the capital, earning around Tk 36 lakh in fares.

The trains will run on routes including Cox's Bazar–Dhaka, Jamalpur–Mymensingh–Dhaka, Tangail–Dhaka, Bhairab Bazar–Narsingdi–Dhaka, Joydebpur–Dhaka Cantonment, Panchagarh–Dhaka, Khulna–Dhaka, Chatmohor–Dhaka Cantonment, Rajshahi–Dhaka and Jashore–Dhaka.

Tarique may visit his father's grave on December 26 subject to security conditions and later travel to Bogura to submit his nomination papers for the 13th parliamentary election. He will contest from Bogura-6.

Meanwhile, in a Facebook post yesterday, Tarique's daughter Zaima Rahman said she hopes to contribute to rebuilding Bangladesh and connect directly with people upon her return.

"Seventeen years away from Bangladesh have been transformative, but I never forgot to tend to and cultivate my roots," she wrote, recalling childhood memories with her grandmother Khaleda.

She said she would be involved in her father's election campaign.​

 

[Saif]

Tarique Rahman departs for Heathrow Airport

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has left for Heathrow Airport in London, the United Kingdom, to return home. He departed for the airport from his London residence after 8:00 pm Bangladesh time on Wednesday. BNP acting chairman’s special assistant Abdur Rahman...

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Tarique Rahman departs for Heathrow Airport
Correspondent London, UK
Published: 24 Dec 2025, 22: 20

BNP acting chairman’s special assistant Abdur Rahman Sunny and Kamal Uddin, coordinator of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, Europe, are seen checking in luggage at Heathrow Airport. Prothom Alo

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has left for Heathrow Airport in London, the United Kingdom, to return home.

He departed for the airport from his London residence after 8:00 pm Bangladesh time on Wednesday.

BNP acting chairman’s special assistant Abdur Rahman Sunny and Kamal Uddin, coordinator of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, Europe, were seen checking in luggage at Heathrow Airport.

After more than 17 years, Tarique Rahman is returning home from the United Kingdom. He is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at 11:55 am on Thursday.

BNP is making special arrangements to mark Tarique Rahman’s return. At a press conference held at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, party standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed outlined Tarique Rahman’s three-day programme, on Wednesday afternoon.

The BNP leader said that after landing at the airport tomorrow afternoon, the party’s senior leaders will welcome Tarique Rahman. He will then proceed to the reception site on July Expressway, also known as the 300 Feet Road. There, he will thank the leaders and activists present and address the nation.

Afterward, he will visit BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital. From there, he will pass through the Airport Road and Kakoli intersection toward his residence in Gulshan-2.

Salahuddin Ahmed said that the next day, Friday, after Friday prayers, Tarique Rahman will first visit the grave of Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar from his residence.

He will then go to the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War.

On the following day, Saturday, he has two programmes scheduled. He will attend to matters related to his national identity card and also visit the grave of martyred Osman Bin Hadi at Dhaka University campus.​

 

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https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/tarique-rahman-returns-home-amid-rapturous-reception

Tarique Rahman returns home amid rapturous reception

UNB
Published :
Dec 25, 2025 21:53
Updated :
Dec 25, 2025 21:53

Ending his 17 years in exile, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday, greeted by a rapturous reception from hundreds of thousands of jubilant supporters, marking his homecoming as a historic and triumphant event.

The BNP leader’s arrival marked a significant moment, as he set foot on Bangladeshi soil, felt the earth and dew-soaked grass beneath his feet, and pledged to work together with the people to build the country and implement his plan for the progress of the nation and its people.

The day was dominated by massive crowds, with the reception at the 300 Feet venue in the capital drawing enthusiastic party leaders, workers, and supporters.

It took more than three hours for Tarique to reach the stage from Shahjalal International Airport as he waved and greeted supporters along the way from the red-and-green-decorated bus.

By around 2:30pm, as the bus entered the venue, chants and slogans echoed across the area. Tarique took the stage at 3:50pm and began his speech at 3:57pm with the words, “Dear Bangladesh,” offering thanks to Allah for allowing him to return to his motherland.

Earlier, at 12:44pm, Tarique, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, arrived on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from London via Sylhet at Shahjalal International Airport. Party leaders gave him a warm welcome at the airport, and his mother-in-law greeted him with flower garlands.

Upon arrival, Tarique called BNP Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus to express his gratitude for the arrangements and security provided during his return. In a video shared on BNP’s verified Facebook page, he thanked the Chief Advisor for the arrangements and asked for prayers before ending the call.

After completing immigration formalities, Tarique stepped out and removed his shoes to feel the country’s soil and dew-soaked grass. He was also seen holding a small piece of soil in his hand.

Tarique’s pet cat, Jebu, also returned to Bangladesh with the family in a specially arranged box. Earlier, photos of Jebu with Tarique circulated on social media, and the BNP’s verified Facebook page shared pictures of the cat in the morning.

Throughout the day, Tarique shared his journey and feelings on his official Facebook page. He posted at 9:34am as the plane entered Bangladesh airspace, writing, “After 6,314 long days, under the skies of Bangladesh!”

During the stopover at Sylhet Airport, he shared a smiling photo with his wife, writing, “Finally in Sylhet, on the soil of Bangladesh!”

After arriving in Dhaka, he posted a prayer praising Allah’s supreme power.

Meeting with Mother

Following the reception at 300 Feet, Tarique visited Evercare Hospital in the capital to see his ailing mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who has been receiving critical care for over a month. Tarique set off from the 300 Feet reception venue around 4:28pm and reached the hospital around 5:54pm in the same bus he had used from the airport.

It was the first reunion of mother and son in Bangladesh after more than 17 years, though they have met several times in London, including in January this year.

Tarique’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman, who accompanied him on the journey from Heathrow Airport to Dhaka, went to the hospital around 5:10pm.

Earlier, while addressing the reception venue, Tarique said his heart lay beside his mother’s hospital bed due to her illness. “But I cannot leave the people behind for whom she has dedicated her life in any way. That is why I have stood here today to express my gratitude to you before going to the hospital,” he said.

Tarique also urged the people of the country to pray for the recovery of his ailing mother, Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in the Bashundhara residential area since 23 November, in a critical condition.

Rapturous Return

After spending nearly one and a half hours with his mother at the hospital, Tarique returned to House No-196 on Gulshan Avenue, where he will be staying.

He left the hospital around 7:30pm and stepped out of his car in front of his residence at about 8:30pm.

The BNP Acting Chairman expressed his gratitude to all members of the law enforcement agencies present, saying, “You have worked hard all day. I pray for you and urge you also pray for me.”

BNP’s Gratitude

Later, in a press release, BNP said a massive crowd had gathered from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to the 300 Feet Expressway to welcome Tarique.

“The historic and unprecedented turnout transformed Dhaka into a sea of people. Tarique Rahman expressed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who came to greet him,” it said.

The party said its acting chairman extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to leaders and activists of BNP, its affiliate and allied organisations, as well as leaders and members of various political parties and professional organisations from Dhaka and across the country who came to participate in the reception.

It also said Tarique conveyed his gratitude to the armed forces, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), RAB, police, and other law enforcement and security agencies for ensuring the smooth and successful conduct of the reception programme.

BNP said Tarique also expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to all journalists and media personnel on duty during the reception.

Tarique left Bangladesh in 2008 for medical treatment after being released from jail during the military-backed caretaker government period and later settled in the United Kingdom with his family.

Friday’s Programmes

As announced by BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Tarique will visit the grave of his father and BNP founder, late President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after Juma prayer on Friday.

Later, he will visit the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to the country’s Liberation War heroes.

Tarique is also expected to visit the grave of Sharif Osman Hadi and see the July uprising victims treated at Pangu Hospital on Saturday, alongside registering as a voter.​

 

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National consensus: Tarique Rahman’s vision of new politics

The current political crisis is the outcome of failure of not just one government but the weakness in the mode of governance.

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National consensus: Tarique Rahman’s vision of new politics
Nargis Akter Banu Nargis Akter Banu
Published: 25 Dec 2025, 08: 41

BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, at the City Pavilion Hall in London. GR Sohel

Tarique Rahman has observed that hostile relations between the political parties are a major barrier to national progress. In an exchange of opinion meeting with grassroots leaders and workers of the BNP on 31 August 2024, he made it clear that they would not take revenge for the repression they had undergone in the past 17 years.

“We’ll establish rule of justice,” he said. To him, political changeover does not mean mere transfer of power but qualitative change in the state. Thus, he promised that the BNP would not engage in politics of vengeance; rather it would create a congenial atmosphere for democratic politics.

The current political crisis is the outcome of failure of not just one government but the weakness in the mode of governance. Therefore, he stressed the importance of minimum agreement on national issues.

It is not possible to secure political stability without free and participatory elections. He repeatedly mentioned the issues such as Election Commission, the election-time administration and ensuring right to vote.

Tarique Rahman has acknowledged that if the institutions of the state remain weak, ineffective and controversial despite change in power, political crisis will continue to arise again and again. The idea of his consensus is based on three pillars.

Firstly, restoration of democratic process: It is not possible to secure political stability without free and participatory elections. He repeatedly mentioned the issues such as Election Commission, the election-time administration and ensuring right to vote.

Secondly, reforms in state institutions: He thinks that democracy will remain a formality unless the judiciary, Anti-Corruption Commission, public administration and parliament can be made functional.

Thirdly, political tolerance and freedom of expression: Tarique Rahman has clearly stated that no government can be stable by repressing the opposition and suppressing the dissenting voice.

The BNP’s 31-point charter is not any political leaflet, rather a charter for reforms in the state created out of the political thinking of Tarique Rahman. It has spoken of reforms in every organ of the state.

The idea of bicameral parliament has been introduced in the 31-point charter. He believes that if there are two chambers of parliament, noted citizens and thinkers and highly skilled people can be made representatives for utilising their merit, experience and wisdom in formulating state policies.

BNP has proposed that there should be a balance between powers of the Prime Minister and the President since the constitution of Bangladesh has provided the former with absolute power. This is aimed at preventing authoritarianism. Proposal has also been made to keep a constitutional arrangement through re-introduction of election-time caretaker government in order to ensure free and fair elections. The BNP has also proposed that a Prime Minister can serve no more than two terms, so that none can emerge as autocrat like Sheikh Hasina.

Tarique Rahman dreams of such a Bangladesh where all people should have only been identified as Bangladeshis. “We all are Bangladeshis. There is no majority or minority in this country – all are citizens who would enjoy equal rights,” he told a virtual meeting with members of the Hindu community. He added that attacks on the places of worships or discrimination on the basis of religious consideration should be considered a crime. The concept of his rainbow nation has been consistent with the vision of undisputed, anti-apartheid leader of South Africa Nelson Mandela.

In the current debates on reforms, Tarique Rahman has made his position clear, saying that reforms are not the affairs of any political party alone; they must reflect the people’s aspirations. “Reforms are a continuous process, However, sustainable reforms are possible only when there is public mandate. Elected representatives can better carry out reforms maintaining accountability to the people,” he said adding that restoration of public rights to vote is the best reform.

Tarique Rahman has empowered the grassroots, simultaneously bringing them under accountability mechanism. He cautioned his party’s leaders and workers that those who would misbehave with the people or try to extort them, would not be spared. In an organisational directive, he asked the partymen to win the heart of the people. “Don’t show muscle to the people. The BNP is the party of the people. We don’t want to survive as a political party in case we lose their love.”

So, his statements prove, he has placed people at the centre stage of his politics.

Tarique Rahman has come up with an extraordinary offer: If the BNP emerges as a victorious party in the next general elections, it alone won’t form the government; rather a government of consensus would be constituted with the participation of alliance partners and other political parties who joined the movement for democracy. His proposal is contrary to the conventional politics where ‘winners take all’. This is the manifestation of his political vision of respecting consensus.

The acting Chairman of the BNP has been working to build a new Bangladesh. His statements indicate change in political culture. Distancing himself from old politics of grabbing power, he has put the agenda of reforms in the party and the state at the forefront of his politics.

He has added a new dimension to the Bangladeshi politics by emphasising the politics of consensus. The key question here, according to him, is not who would come to power but how the state would be run.

His focus on national consensus and 31-point charter is not any clever strategy, rather a realistic vision for building a modern and welfare state. The long exile and political struggle have made him a pragmatic leader. He wants to close the dark chapter of divisive politics in Bangladesh once and for all. We have reasons to be confident that Tarique Rahman’s vision is going to determine the political course of history.

Nargis Akter Banu is working at a government department in Australia.​

 

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'This country belongs to people of the hills and plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians'

Tarique invokes Martin Luther King at Dhaka reception: 'I have a plan for Bangladesh.'

www.thedailystar.net

'This country belongs to people of the hills and plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians'

Tarique Rahman cautions supporters against provocation, recalls the sacrifices of 1971 and 2024

Photo: Star

"Agents of various dominant powers are still engaged in conspiracies. We must remain patient. We have to exercise caution," BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman told the massive crowd at a reception for him in Dhaka today.

Calling on supporters not to respond to any form of provocation, Tarique said that just as the nation achieved independence in 1971, people from all walks of life once again came together to protect Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty in 2024.

"Today, the people of Bangladesh want to regain their right to speak. They want to get back their democratic rights," he said. "The time has come for all of us to build the country together. This country belongs to people of the hills and the plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians. We want to build a safe Bangladesh, where every woman, man, and child can leave home and return safely."

Referring to the killing of Osman Hadi, Tarique said Hadi wanted people of the country to regain their economic rights. "If we are to repay the debt of the blood of those who were martyred in 1971 and 2024, we must build the Bangladesh we all dream of," he said.

The BNP leader said the young would lead the country in the future and stressed the need to ensure a democratic Bangladesh with a strong economic foundation.

Referring to Martin Luther King Jr's historic "I have a dream" speech, Tarique said, "I have a plan." He said he has plans to build the country and that cooperation from every citizen is necessary to implement those plans.

At the reception, he also asked everyone to pray for the recovery of his mother, BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

"Together we will work and build our Bangladesh," he said, expressing gratitude to all present.​