Tarique Rahman warns of continued conspiracies ahead of polls

Bangla Press Desk:    Citing that conspiracies against the country have not stopped and that the forthcoming national election will not be easy, BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman urged people to remain united and alert.

He made the call while addressing a discussion organised by London BNP at the City Pavilion in London on the occasion of the Great Victory Day.

Speaking before a packed hall of expatriate Bangladeshis, Tarique said he had cautioned a year ago that difficult times lay ahead.

“I told you a year ago that the days ahead would be challenging. Conspiracies have not stopped, and this election will not be easy either. Many of you are now realising that what I said then is coming true,” he said.

Reiterating his message, Tarique added, “I am saying it again—times ahead will not be comfortable. Everyone must remain vigilant and, above all, stay united.”

Addressing the audience directly, he asked whether they could remain united. When the expatriates responded loudly in the affirmative, he said unity was essential to realise BNP’s vision of rebuilding the country.

“We can implement our plan to rebuild the nation, build our desired Bangladesh and establish a system of accountability only if we stay united,” he said.

Citing the example of the United Kingdom, Tarique noted that people in Britain are not deprived of their rights because of an accountable system of governance. 

“The people of Bangladesh have been deprived of their just rights for years,” he said, adding that unity was the only way to restore those rights.

Referring to the political slogan, he concluded, “‘United we stand, divided we fall’—there is no alternative to unity.”

Tarique Rahman was arrested in 2007 during the army-backed caretaker government following the events of 1/11. After falling seriously ill in custody, he travelled to London in 2008 for advanced medical treatment on bail, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman. After nearly 18 years in exile, he is set to return to Bangladesh on 25 December.

BP/SP