United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday sought votes not only for his party’s electoral symbol 'Sheaf of Paddy' but also for the 'Spade' symbol in the capital, urging voters to support Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque in Dhaka-12 constituency. “One of those who stood with us on the streets during past movements is contesting here in Dhaka-12 with the Spade symbol. From BNP, we are supporting Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Workers Party of Bangladesh, as our candidate,” he said. Addressing a roadside rally in Tejgaon Industrial Area under Dhaka-12 seat, Tarique also said Saiful Haque a long-time ally of his party. “Here in Dhaka-12, a victory for the Spade means a victory for the Sheaf of Paddy. And if the Spade  wins, it will pave the way for development of the area,” he said. Reminding voters to remain alert, Tarique alleged that a political is once again engaging in conspiracies to manipulate the election. “We have seen in the past how people’s political rights were taken away. Even now, a political party is engaged in various conspiracies,” he said. Referring to recent media reports, the BNP chief said a member of that party was caught while attempting to produce fake seals for use in voting. “That is why I urge voters to stay alert and vigilant so that no one can use fake seals or manipulate the election results through conspiracy,” he said, adding that a victory for Spade would help BNP form the government. Tarique Rahman calls vigilance to protect voting rights Tarique said if BNP comes to power, the problems highlighted by Saiful Haque in Dhaka-12 will be addressed. “We must take a pledge today that our future politics will be about rebuilding the country and changing people’s fates and lives,” he said. The BNP Chairman recalled past movements against autocratic regime and said the next phase os nation-building. “We fought and removed autocracy in the past. Now it is time to build the country. We must work shoulder to shoulder to achieve that,” he said. After the rally, Tarique visited the office of daily Dinkal in Tejgaon, where he exchanged greetings with journalists and staff.  Tarique Rahman is the publisher and editor of the newspaper. Later at night, around 11:00pm, Tarique addressed another roadside rally in Satarkul, Badda, seeking votes for BNP candidate MA Qyayum in Dhaka-11. He also focused on the various plans included in his party’s manifesto, aimed at improving people’s welfare and promoting the country’s development. Recalling that his mother and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia who was elected from the same seat in 1991, Tarique urged voters to support MA Qyayum in the February-12 election. He promised to address the problems faced by the residents of the constituency and ensure its development if the BNP comes to power. Tarique also called on voters to remain vigilant to prevent any attempts at vote rigging or manipulation of the election results. On the first day of his Dhaka campaign, Tarique addressed rallies in seven constituencies. 

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday accused a political party of trying to mislead people, especially women, by selling ‘tickets-to-heaven’ in exchange for votes. “There is a political party whose role we saw 50 years ago. They are now going to the homes of innocent mothers and sisters and selling ‘tickets to Jannah’. This is not hypocrisy alone as it is outright shirk,” he said in an oblique reference to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. He made the remarks while addressing his party’s second election rally at Ainpur playground in Sherpur area of Moulvibazar district on Thursday afternoon. The BNP chairman recalled that the Jamaat leaders killed many people in 1971 during the country’s Liberation War. “Now they are misleading many people again and dragging them towards shirk (in the name of a ticket to Jannah).” “Those who are deceiving people by hurting religious sentiments before the election—just think how they will deceive the people if they come to power,” he warned the voters. Stating that people are the main strength of his party, Tarique called upon the voters to vote for the party’s electoral symbol Sheaf of Paddy to restore democracy and bring change to people’s lives. “If we want to save the country, restore democracy and change people’s destiny through the election scheduled for the 12th of next month, then where should we cast our vote? We must vote for the Sheaf of Paddy,” he said. Referring to past sacrifices, the BNP leader said many people shed their blood and many others became victims of enforced disappearances for the right to vote and democracy. Tarique urges voters to back BNP, warns against vote fraud Calling on all citizens to work together for rebuilding the country, Tarique said BNP is committed to protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty. “We must reintroduce a democratic process and ensure people’s right to speak freely. Which party can guarantee this? Only the Sheaf of Paddy can,” he said. The BNP leader claimed that elections at different levels were held in a largely fair manner when BNP was in power. “People could speak freely, criticise the government and no one was subjected to enforced disappearance or killing,” he added. Tarique alleged that one political party handed over the country’s sovereignty in 1971, while another did the same over the last 16 years. “That is why voting for the Sheaf of Paddy is essential to save the country and change people’s fate.” He also briefly outlined his plans for the country’s future development during the speech. The rally was presided over by Moulvibazar district BNP President Naser Rahman. BNP candidates from different constituencies in the district also spoke at the programme. Earlier in the day, Tarique formally began his election campaign by addressing a rally at Sylhet Alia Madrasa ground. After Moulvibazar, he is scheduled to address rallies in Habiganj’s Shayestaganj, Brahmanbaria’s Sarail, Kishoreganj’s Bhairab, Narsingdi and Narayanganj’s Araihazar and Rupganj areas.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday (December 08, 2025) urged party leaders and activists to prioritise the party and its electoral symbol, the “Sheaf of Paddy,” over individual candidates ahead of the upcoming election, warning that a serious setback could follow if unity is not maintained. “There is no time for us to sit idle. Candidates have already been announced in various areas. For your area, the party has made a decision based on who we thought would do best,” he said while speaking virtually at the concluding session of BNP’s second day of the ‘Plan to Build the Country’ programme. Tarique also noted that perhaps the candidate announced in their area was not the one they personally preferred, or that their connection with the candidate was not very strong. “But you are not working for the candidate. You are working for your Sheaf of Paddy. The candidate is not the main focus. What matters is that our party, BNP, the Sheaf of Paddy, and the country. If people vote for the Sheaf of Paddy, we will be able to carry out every plan for building the country,” he said. Read more: Conspiracies underway to undermine democracy: Tarique Rahman He also said the plans to build the country will not just remain on paper but will be implemented at any cost with people’s involvement. “Our promise and our work for the next two months are to involve the people of Bangladesh in these plans. There is no other work beyond this.” Tarique called upon Chhatra Dal leaders and activists to reach out to people in their areas, explain the party’s plans, gather support, and mobilise voters. Urging the younger generation to unite, he said, Bangladesh’s immediate future depends on them. If you move forward together, the country has a future. Otherwise, a terrible situation may wait. If we unite and work from our respective positions, the country will move forward.” The six-day programme, titled ‘Plans to Build the Country’, was announced on November 27 and involves BNP’s affiliated bodies, including Chhatra Dal, Krishak Dal, Ulema Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal, ahead of the national election. Conspiracies underway to undermine democracy: Tarique Rahman BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin inaugurated the second day’s programme in the morning, with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in the chair at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Farmgate. Leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal from across the country joined the programme so they can explain BNP’s plans, election manifesto, and promises to the people ahead of the polls. The programme highlighted BNP’s detailed plans for the country, including canal excavation, air pollution control, environmental improvement, waste management, nationwide sports development, education, health, reducing unemployment, and social support initiatives such as the Family Card, Farmers’ Card, and Health Card. Tarique urged party leaders and activists to take these plans directly to people. Read more: Shahadat Hossain Selim joins BNP dissolving his party

BNP will formally start the distribution of its nomination papers from tomorrow (Tuesday) to those who want to contest the upcoming first phase of elections to 25 municipalities with the party’s election symbol ‘Sheaf of Paddy’.

BNP has picked its Chattogram city unit president Dr Shahdat Hossain as its mayoral candidate to contest the upcoming elections to Chattogram City Corporation (CCC).

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said people are eagerly waiting for casting their votes for the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ in the elections to Dhaka north and south city corporations.

BNP’s Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayoral candidate Ishraque Hossain on Friday said he will announce his election manifesto on Monday.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday carried out electioneering in favour of Tabith Awal, their party’s mayoral candidate in the elections to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), saying that a mass wave has been created in favour of ‘Sheaf of Paddy’.

With the allocation of election symbols, BNP’s both mayoral candidates in the polls to Dhaka south and north city corporations kicked off their election campaign on Friday to woo voters.