BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday warned of potential attempts to delay Bangladesh’s upcoming national election. He called on citizens and political groups to remain alert to any signs of engineered instability.
Speaking virtually from London, Rahman addressed a gathering at the Krishibid Institution in Dhaka’s Khamarbari. The event, organized by the private university wing of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, honored students, teachers, and victims of the July–August mass protests.
“There are efforts—some visible, some not—to derail the election timeline,” Rahman said. “People must watch closely. The democratic process cannot be allowed to slip due to orchestrated chaos.”
He implied that elements close to the interim government might be behind the unrest. Though he avoided specifics, he said the violence has left many wondering if a fair election is even possible.
“These aren’t isolated concerns anymore,” Rahman said. “The sense of doubt is spreading.”
He urged the interim government to act with clarity and courage. “The democratic forces in this country will support bold decisions made in good faith. But that support depends on transparency.”
The general election, he argued, is not just another vote. It’s a moment to reaffirm democratic values. “We must stay responsible. No emotional or reckless act should open the door for authoritarianism again.”
Rahman stressed that reforms, if they are to last, must reflect the will of the people. “Political change doesn’t come from slogans or control. It comes from the trust and verdict of the people,” he said.
He also recognized the role played by private university students during the July protests, which he described as key in bringing down what he referred to as the “fascist” Awami League government.
Also Read: Mirza Abbas Urges Interim Government to End Bias, Hold National Election Soon
The BNP, he said, had supported the 2024 quota reform movement from the start. But it stayed in the background to prevent the government from framing the protests as a partisan effort. “This wasn’t about politics. It was about change.”
Rahman drew a line between the country’s past and present struggles. “The martyrs of 2024 will be remembered like those of 1971,” he said. “Their dream was a nation guided by knowledge, science, and progress—not slogans.”
He called for a truly elected government, directly chosen by the people. “That’s the first step. Nothing else will dismantle the structures that allow repression to return.”
Also speaking at the event, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that supporting those affected by the July uprising would be among the party’s priorities if it wins power.
BNP leaders Abdul Moyeen Khan and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also addressed the gathering.
Opening with the Quran and the national anthem, the gathering soon grew quiet. Attendees stood in silent remembrance of the protest victims.
Some families of the victims were in attendance. A few shared stories of their loss. The tone shifted from political to personal as parents and siblings spoke. The room fell quiet. You could feel the weight in their voices.
There weren’t answers to every question. But those gathered seemed to agree on one thing: the next election, whenever it comes, carries more than political meaning. It carries memory.
