Tarique Rahman warns of ‘harder-than-expected election’

Bangla Press Desk:   BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that the upcoming national election will not be as easy as many are assuming.

“We must go door to door to reach the people. If we do that, the people will surely give BNP the opportunity to run the state,” he said.

He added that if the BNP comes to power, it will not form a partisan government.

Tarique made these remarks while addressing party leaders and activists as the chief guest at an event organised by BNP at the Krishibid Institute auditorium in Farmgate yesterday evening.

He joined the programme virtually. More than a thousand leaders and activists from the party’s divisional organisational units attended the event, titled “Plan to Build the Country,” organised to mark Victory Month.

Speaking about the upcoming parliamentary election, Tarique said, “A year and a half ago, I had said that the next election will not be what people are expecting. Today, my words are slowly being proven true. This election will not be as easy as many think.” He warned that if the party still fails to take the situation seriously, the country’s existence and sovereignty could be at risk. “Only democracy can save this nation, and it is you—the leaders, activists, and the general people of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party—who can strengthen the foundation of that democracy,” he said.

The acting chairman emphasised that BNP leaders must reach out to citizens to explain the party’s plans. “If we do that, the people will surely give BNP the chance to govern,” he said. “If BNP comes to power, there will be no partisan government. We must work for both those who vote for BNP and those who do not. No one can serve only a selected group.” Tarique said BNP is not merely offering dreams—it aims to fulfil them. With little time left before the election, he urged everyone to stand firmly behind the candidates chosen by the party. “Candidates may come and go, but the party and its ideology remain,” he said.

Criticising other political groups for spreading misinformation, he said BNP workers do not need to resort to lies. “Just convey the realistic, practical plans we have prepared to the public. It is challenging, but possible if everyone works together.”

Addressing the activists, Tarique said he had noticed some individuals in different areas giving speeches inside mosques. “If they can speak, why can’t you? If you speak, others will too; if you don’t, no one will,” he said. “If there are rules that prohibit speaking, then those rules must apply to everyone equally. They cannot apply to some and not to others.”

The event was presided over by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and moderated by Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel. Among others present were Krishak Dal General Secretary Shahidul Islam Babul, Acting Chairman’s adviser Mahdi Amin, and BNP Dhaka North convener Aminul Haque.

BP/TD