BNP is confident of a massive victory and forming the next government with a clear majority after being out of power for more than 19 years, as the party enters the battle of ballots in the 13th national election on Thursday.
Senior party leaders told UNB on Wednesday that months of preparation, a nationwide campaign, large public gatherings, and what they describe as growing public frustration over economic hardship have strengthened their belief that the party is heading towards a huge victory.
However, alongside this confidence, they also expressed concern over possible violence, irregularities, and what some leaders described as attempts at ‘election engineering’ in certain constituencies.
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The BNP leaders also expressed worries over the party’s rebel candidates in around 80 seats, fearing it may prevent them from obtaining a two-thirds majority.
Over the past weeks, the BNP has conducted an extensive nationwide campaign under the leadership of party chairman Tarique Rahman. From divisional cities to remote districts, he has participated in more than 43 public rallies, drawing massive crowds that have reinvigorated the party’s supporters.
On the final day of campaigning, after rallies across Dhaka constituencies, Tarique Rahman formally concluded the campaign with a visit to his parents’ graves. Party leaders claim that the large turnout at these gatherings has boosted morale among activists.
The BNP’s election manifesto centres on the slogan ‘Bangladesh First’. The party has promised to ensure politics of justice and humanity, not revenge, production, not looting; rights, not fear, fairness, not discrimination.
Building on the 19-point programme of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s Vision 2030, and Tarique Rahman’s own 31-point plan, the manifesto pledges to build a welfare-oriented, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh.
BNP has placed strong emphasis on anti-corruption measures, employment generation, and institutional reform.
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Tarique Rahman has repeatedly said the party will adopt a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against corruption. The party has pledged to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Commission, ensure accountability in administration, and reform the police and judiciary. It has also promised transparency in the banking sector.
Youth employment has been highlighted as a major priority. BNP has promised to create more than one crore jobs in five years, expand technical and language training, support start-ups and simplify student loan facilities.
The manifesto includes nine major pledges, covering monthly support for poor families through a family card, farmer cards, and recruitment of 100,000 health workers, skill-based education and mid-day meals, promoting sports as a profession, river dredging and tree planting, ensuring religious harmony, and building a digital economy.
BNP leaders believe that these pragmatic plans and programmes have helped boost their popularity.
Party leaders say strong public participation, active campaigning, a clear manifesto, and focus on youth have given BNP confidence in victory.
BNP’s confidence also stems from its past experience in governance. Party leaders said during its previous terms, the party achieved food self-sufficiency, economic growth, increased electricity production, infrastructure development, and strengthened multi-party democracy, proving its capability to manage crises and govern effectively.
Regarding their expectations from constituencies, BNP leaders said they are confident of strong results in divisions including Dhaka, Sylhet, Barishal, Mymensingh, and Faridpur, while anticipating competitive but favourable outcomes in Chattogram and Rajshahi.
They also see the potential for significant gains in Rangpur and Khulna. Several leaders claimed the party could win more than 200 seats, with recent surveys showing BNP leading in many areas.
Despite the overall optimism, BNP faces some internal challenges. Around 80 constituencies reportedly have rebel candidates contesting against official party nominees.
A BNP Standing Committee member, speaking anonymously, said it is the party’s failure that they could not manage the rebel candidates. “I think we should have made more effective efforts to reach an understanding with them. In many constituencies in Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions we’ll face difficulties due to the rebel candidates.”
He, however, said some BNP rebels may win in different seats, and he hoped they would finally support BNP.
Another concern raised by some leaders is outreach to women voters, as they acknowledged that organisational efforts to engage women directly were not as strong in certain areas.
“Usually, BNP is very popular among female voters. But this time Jamaat worked vigorously and invested heavily to gain their support. Compared to Jamaat, we could not reach women voters in the same way. This is a matter of concern for us,” a BNP Vice Chairman, speaking anonymously, said.
In conversations with UNB, several BNP leaders expressed concern about possible election-day violence and irregularities.
They said their activists have been instructed to remain alert at polling centres and to resist any attempt at vote rigging.
At the same time, they urged voters to turn out peacefully and exercise their democratic rights.
When contacted, BNP Standing Committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain told UNB, “We are very hopeful about a good result. We believe we will get a single majority. There are many allegations and discussions around different issues, but if the Election Commission and the government act neutrally until the end, the country will see a free and fair election.”
On questions about rebel candidates, he added, “I am not personally worried. Our candidates will win and we will secure the majority.”
BNP Central Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin said it is inevitable that the BNP will return to power. “A quarter is trying to resist us by creating various obstacles. But the democracy-loving people will ensure our victory for the restoration of democracy and their rights by casting their votes for the Sheaf of Paddy.”
He said they trust the Election Commission and the members of the law enforcement agencies to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.
“We hope BNP will form the government soon by winning the people’s votes.” Mahdi said, adding that people will strongly resist any attempts at vote manipulation or rigging.
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