Aam Janatar Dal Member Secretary Tarek Rahman ended his hunger strike on Sunday night after 134 hours, following a request from BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed.
Later, he was taken to Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital by an ambulance for medical treatment.
Earlier, Salahuddin visited him in front of the Election Commission office in Agargaon, where Tarek had been on a hunger strike since Tuesday, protesting the Commission’s decision not to include his party’s name in the list of registered political parties.
Talking to reporters, Salahuddin said he came to see Tarek because his health has become very weak after the long hunger strike.
“Tarek Rahman of Aam Janatar Dal is a shining star in the struggle against fascism in Bangladesh,” he said. “Many of those who joined him in the movement have become martyrs or were injured — some have even been left crippled.”
The BNP leader said Tarek himself suffered extreme persecution under the fascist rule.
He has been detained and brutally tortured while in remand and his wrists were once so tightly handcuffed that the skin rotted. “The whole nation feels sympathy for him — we all do.”
Salahuddin said Tarek and his party wanted to join the democratic process by forming a political party and applied for registration with the Election Commission.
After a long review, he said the Aam Janatar Dal was informed that their application could not be considered. “Aam Janatar Dal leaders told me several times that they faced harassment during the field-level verification process. Local election officials at upazila and district levels have harassed them repeatedly.”
The BNP leader urged the Election Commission to look into these allegations seriously and ensure fairness. “We have requested that, if they appeal, the Commission should review their case compassionately and lawfully. I have already spoken to some senior Commission officials. I hope justice will be done.”
He said Tarek’s condition had become very critical and risky due to the long hunger strike. “That is why I came here today and requested him to end it. He agreed to my request and broke his hunger strike.
Salahuddin said Tarek must be taken to hospital and kept under close observation. “His health is fragile, but I hope he will recover soon.”
He also hoped that the Election Commission will consider his party’s appeal with sympathy and ensure a proper investigation at the field level
The BNP leader said the Tarek’s party is expected to file an appeal with the Election Commission on Monday.
Tarek began his hunger strike on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the Commission announced registration for three other parties — the National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), and Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party.
Leaders and activists from various political parties and organisations, including BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad, expressed solidarity with Tarek during his protest.
On Wednesday, the Bangladesh Justice and Development Party and Moulik Bangla also held separate sit-in programmes in front of the Commission gate in support of his demand.
Earlier, on March 10, 2025, the Election Commission invited applications from new political parties seeking registration by April 20 ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. The deadline was later extended to June 22, and 143 parties applied.
After scrutiny, 22 parties were shortlisted for field-level verification to assess their eligibility and authenticity.
Since the introduction of the registration system before the 2008 general election, a total of 57 parties have obtained registration. Five of them later lost their status, though two regained it.