BNP’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, has called on the people of Bangladesh, including party leaders and activists, to prepare for national parliamentary elections to be held by December.
He made the appeal virtually on Wednesday afternoon during the "Establishing the Political Rights of the Youth" at Nayapaltan in the capital.
The rally was organized by three of BNP’s affiliate organizations — Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal — and attended by party leaders and activists from the Dhaka, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and Faridpur divisions. From the morning, groups of party supporters arrived at the rally site with processions.
After 1pm, the stretch of road in front of BNP's central office, from Fakirapool intersection to Nightingale intersection, turned into a sea of people. Tarique Rahman joined the rally virtually from London at around 4pm, and was welcomed with applause and cheers, to which he responded with a wave of greeting.
In his keynote speech, Tarique Rahman said: "We call on the interim government: national elections must be held by this December. Once again, I emphasize, elections must take place within this timeframe. Dear countrymen, begin preparations now to ensure national elections are held by December."
He alleged that certain factions within the government are conspiring to delay the elections, saying: "It appears that efforts to stall the upcoming election have already begun. The future of the election seems entangled in endless debates over so-called minor and major reforms. People are starting to believe that these reform discussions are merely tactics to buy time, and that some within and outside the interim government may have ulterior motives."
Urging the government not to treat political parties as enemies, he added: "Neutrality and credibility are the core strengths of the interim government. Therefore, we urge and advise them to refrain from taking actions that could erode public trust and goodwill."
He continued: "Once again, I call on the interim government: please do not consider pro-democracy citizens and political parties as adversaries. If any of you wish to stay in power, resign from your posts, join the public, and participate in elections."
Addressing his party activists, Tarique said: "Reach out to the people. Try to understand their expectations, earn their trust, and win their hearts."
He outlined plans the BNP would undertake if it comes to power, focusing on transforming the population into a productive workforce through job-oriented education, development of small and cottage industries, maximum use of information technology for rural advancement, large-scale training programs to create employment opportunities, and both short- and long-term strategies for building skilled manpower.
Other proposed initiatives include: Family cards for low-income families, farmers' cards for marginal and landless farmers; sector-based employment initiatives to tackle unemployment; incorporation of ICT and vocational education in schools and colleges; Integration of sports into the academic curriculum; introduction of foreign language education; government-run training programs to produce plumbers, electricians, mechanics, dental hygienists, and medical technicians; workforce development aligned with global e-commerce platforms; expansion of freelancing and outsourcing income; enhancement of healthcare through rural health workers; nationwide tree plantation campaigns.
He concluded his speech with a slogan directed at party members: “Not Delhi, not Rawalpindi, not any other country—Bangladesh comes first!”
In his remarks as a special guest, BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas criticized the government, saying, "You are providing corridors for the Arakan Army. This brings us no benefit. We do not want to offer such corridors. We want to remain as we are."
He added: "This government is colonial in nature. Most of those in power are not even citizens of this country. You must arrange for elections without delay."
Another Standing Committee Member, Salahuddin Ahmed, said: "We wanted a roadmap for elections, not a theatrical resignation drama. Elections must be held by December."
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury accused the government of pitting reforms against elections: "BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia first proposed reforms through Vision 2030. Later, the Acting Chairman introduced 27 points, followed by 31 points developed in collaboration with other opposition movements. There can be no delay under the guise of reform. If there’s no consensus on reforms, the public will not accept them."
The rally was presided over by Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna, and jointly moderated by Swechchhasebak Dal General Secretary Rajib Ahsan and Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir.
Other speakers included BNP Standing Committee Members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Zilani, Jubo Dal General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayan, and Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib.
