United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will formally launch his party’s election campaign for the 13th national parliamentary election from Sylhet on January 22. “Tarique Rahman will go to Sylhet on January 22. However, the detailed tour plan is yet to be finalised,” his Press Secretary Saleh Shibly told UNB. Traditionally, Shibly said, the BNP begins its national election campaign from Sylhet by offering fateha at the shrines of Hazrat Shah Jalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R). “During the visit, he will offer fateha at both shrines. It has not yet been decided where the campaign will formally begin, but I believe it will start in Sylhet after visiting the two shrines,” he said. He also said the detailed programme of Tarique Rahman’s visit and election campaign will be finalised soon. On Saturday, while exchanging greetings with editors and senior journalists at a hotel in Dhaka, Tarique said his party will go to people with its plans from January 22. According to the election schedule, symbols will be allocated to candidates on January 21, while formal electioneering will begin on January 22. Tarique’s northern region tour postponed at EC’s request Earlier, following an emergency meeting of the party’s Standing Committee on Friday night, the BNP announced the postponement of Tarique Rahman’s planned tour of the northern districts. After the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Tarique’s scheduled four-day tour of the northern region had been postponed following a request from the Election Commission (EC). The BNP Chairman planned to begin his tour of the northern districts today (January 11) to pay tributes to national leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani and Abu Sayed, a martyr of the 2024 student-led mass uprising. He was also scheduled to visit Dinajpur to offer fateha at the grave of his maternal grandmother. Party sources said Tarique Rahman, who assumed the post of party chairman on Friday night, will visit all divisions during the election campaign period—from 6:00am on January 22 to 7:30am on February 10—to seek votes for the candidates of his t and alliance partners.  

A violent clash erupted on Saturday between two factions of the BNP in Fatulla, Narayanganj Sadar Upazila, leaving at least eight people injured. Following the incident, a joint security operation arrested eight individuals. Police recovered cannabis and heroin from some of the detainees. The clash took place in the Shihachar Hajibari Mor area between Yunus Master, president of the Fatulla Thana Tanti Dal, and Zainal Abedin, former president of Kutubpur Union Jubo Dal. The arrested include Zainal Abedin, former president of Kutubpur Union Jubo Dal; Mehedi Hasan Dolon, former organizational secretary of the district Chhatra dal; and Akash, Juel, Riazul, Rajib, Jihad, and Rashid. Eyewitnesses said tensions had long existed over local influence, factory waste, land disputes, drug trade, robbery, and local dominance between the two leaders. On Saturday afternoon, hundreds from both groups armed with sharp weapons and homemade bombs prepared to confront each other. Around 3pm, the groups clashed, triggering explosions and panic among local residents. The violent confrontation, involving sharp weapons and brick attacks, lasted about 15–20 minutes, leaving at least eight injured. Terrified residents stayed indoors, locking doors and windows. Police, RAB, and other joint forces intervened and arrested the eight suspects. Some bomb remnants were also recovered from the scene. Fatullah Model Police Station officer-in-charge, Abdul Mannan, confirmed the arrests and the seizure of drugs and explosives. Residents urged strict action against the faction leaders and their armed supporters to restore peace in the area.

Sunamganj turned restive on Saturday as the district unit of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal staged a protest rally and demonstration demanding the arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for the killing of Azizur Rahman Musabbir, former general secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North Swechchhasebak Dal. As part of a central programme, leaders and activists brought out a large procession around 11am from the party office near the Old Bus Stand in the town. The procession marched through key streets and ended at Kalibari Mor, where a protest rally was held. Addressing the rally, speakers said the shooting death of Azizur Rahman Musabbir, a fearless leader of street movements, was a brutal and cowardly act. They alleged that terrorists were trying to silence dissent through violence, but vowed that justice would be ensured through sustained movements. The speakers urged the authorities to immediately identify, arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice. The rally, presided over by Sunamganj district Swechchhasebak Dal Convener Monazzir Hossain, was conducted by district unit member and office secretary Sadikur Rahman Chowdhury. Among others, Joint Convener Advocate Ahad Jewel and Sadar Upazila unit Member Secretary Advocate Dipankar Banik Sujit spoke at the programme. Leaders including Joint Conveners Suhel Mia, Shahjahan Mia, Anwar Alam, Sadar Upazila Convener Abul Kashem Dulu, Joint Conveners Omar Faruk and Samsur Rahman, and a large number of leaders and activists from different units joined the demonstration. From the rally, leaders warned that tougher programmes would be announced if the culprits are not arrested promptly. END/UNB/Corr/MN/ssk  

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Saturday paid a courtesy call on BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and discussed matters of bilateral interest between the two countries. The Indian envoy came to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s Gulshan office around 5:00 pm and held a nearly hour-long meeting with him, BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said. Several issues of bilateral interest were discussed during the meeting. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, and Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir were also present. Earlier, Tarique Rahman had a meeting at the same office with Dr Ivars Ijabs, Member of the European Parliament and Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission.  

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said his party would lead the nation in the right direction if it comes to power, stressing that the country must not return to the situation that existed before August 5. While exchanging greetings with editors and journalists at a city hotel, he also said the democratic process and accountability at all levels must be ensured to bring positive change in the country. “We had problems before, and we still have problems. But clearly, we do not want to go back to the situation before August 5,” the BNP chairman said. Referring to painful moments from his personal life and the country’s history, Tarique Rahman said he recalls the janaza of his father in 1981, the janaza of his mother on December 31, 2025, and the incidents of August 5, 2024. “So I feel this is not only about me. For the leaders and activists of my party, and for the people of the country as a whole, these examples are perhaps the clearest reasons why there is absolutely no need for us to go back to the situation before August 5,” he said. The BNP leader said violence, revenge and counter-revenge always lead to dangerous consequences. “We have seen on August 5 what violence, revenge and vindictiveness can result in—whether by an individual or by a political party,” he said. Tarique Rahman urged the people of all political views to resolve differences through dialogue, saying differences of opinion should never turn into division. “Differences will exist, but if we try, many problems can be solved through discussion. These differences must not turn into deep divisions,” he said, adding that division of the nation only leads to suffering and frustration. He said despite widespread disappointment among people, there is still hope, as many are thinking about the future and making plans. The BNP chairman said politicians must work for the country’s independence and sovereignty by learning from key moments in history, including 1971, 1990 and August 5, 2024. “If we keep these events in mind and work honestly for the country, I firmly believe we can lead the nation in the right direction.” “We must continue the democratic process and ensure accountability at all levels at any cost. If we can do this, we will be able to bring the desired change,” Tarique said. The BNP organised the programme at a city hotel to allow its chairman to exchange greetings with journalists. Earlier, Tarique Rahman arrived at the venue at around 10:52am and exchanged pleasantries with editors and journalists by moving from table to table. After formally taking charge as BNP chairman the previous night, Tarique began his first official programme of the day with this interaction with journalists. The BNP Chairman shared his future work plan for the country and sought cooperation from journalists, saying constructive discussion and criticism would help move Bangladesh forward. He said if BNP forms the government with a public mandate in the next election, the party has a clear plan, as he indicated on his homecoming day on December 25. Tarique said a key part of that plan focuses on women, who make up half of the country’s population. “One major initiative is the Family Card, which will be issued to women, particularly housewives. The card will not be for a lifetime but for five to seven years, during which support will be provided. Each family will receive one card.” He expressed concern over a growing negative trend on social media, where women are being harassed in various ways and said this must be stopped. The BNP leader urged media professionals to play a strong role in raising public awareness to prevent harassment of women and to help ensure their security and dignity. He said there are many difficult challenges ahead, but unity is necessary among the people to overcome those challenges and move forward. Tarique also urged all to work together on issues--healthcare, women’s rights, empowerment, employment, environment, education and public safety-- that directly affect ordinary people. He said reform has three parts--constitutional reform, legal reform, and reform related to people’s daily lives and security. While constitutional and legal reforms have been discussed widely, the BNP leader said issues of daily life, such as healthcare, jobs, education and personal safety, need more attention. Referring to the upcoming election, he said BNP will go to the people with its plans from January 22. Tarique said BNP welcomes constructive discussion and criticism from journalists if it forms the government — criticism that helps address people’s problems, not criticism for its own sake. He said after returning to the country, his visits to different places made him feel that the new generation, and in fact all generations, want guidance and hope for the future. He said politicians may face many expectations, and it may not be possible to fulfil all of them. “But if politicians keep in mind 1971, 1990, and August 5, 2024, and work for the country’s independence and sovereignty, then I firmly believe, as a political worker, that we will be able to lead the nation in the right direction.” The BNP Chairman warned of a severe water crisis in Dhaka within the next 10 to 20 years if current trends continue. He said Buriganga is fully polluted, Shitalakkhya is about 50 percent polluted, and even Meghna’s water may become polluted within the next 10 to 15 years. “About 35 million people live in Dhaka city. They will not get water. Water means life. If this problem spreads across the country, how serious it could be is something we should start discussing now — whether in parliament or in different seminars. Otherwise, a frightening future may be waiting for us, which is very unwanted,” Tarique observed. He said a large portion of the country’s nearly 20 crore population is young, and urgent steps are needed to create employment opportunities at home and abroad. “If we fail to succeed in this work, then whether we talk about August 5, the 1990 movement, or the 1971 Liberation War, I fear that most, if not all, of our expectations will be destroyed.” The BNP leader expressed concern over around 7,000 deaths annually from road accidents, mostly affecting poor families who lose their only earning members. He also spoke about farmers, saying they feed the nation but have no platform to voice their problems. “It’s the responsibility of political parties and the media to listen to them.” The BNP leader also shared his plan for introducing farmers’ cards for the welfare of farmers. He said BNP wants to prevent corruption from spreading and gradually bring it to a manageable level. Tarique warned that rapid population growth is a serious threat and stressed the need for population control. He said BNP plans to recruit around one lakh healthcare workers, 80–85 percent of them women, to raise awareness on hygiene, health and family planning at the household level. The BNP chairman also mentioned plans for health cards, healthcare for all, modernising vocational and technical institutes, developing skilled manpower, boosting the IT sector, supporting entrepreneurship, expanding IT parks, and removing barriers to content creation. The event was attended by editors, senior journalists, heads of national and international media, and senior BNP leaders. The programme was conducted by BNP Media Cell Convener Maudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel and Press Secretary Saleh Shibly. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the inaugural speech, welcoming the journalists and thanking them for joining the event.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said a new scope has opened before the nation to build a liberal democratic Bangladesh. “People are now hopeful as a scope has been created for building a liberal democratic Bangladesh,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a programme arranged by BNP for party chairman Tarique Rahman to exchange greetings with journalists. Read More: Nazim Uddin Alam made BNP chairman’s advisory council member He said Tarique Rahman returned to the country from London at a time when the nation is going through a difficult period. He said people across the country are now looking to Tarique Rahman with hope for rebuilding the country as they feel encouraged by the speeches he earlier delivered virtually. The programme formally began around 11:20am with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Earlier, the BNP Chairman arrived at the venue at around 10:52am and exchanged pleasantries with editors and journalists by walking around different tables. In his inaugural speech, Fakhrul recalled the contributions of late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to democracy and the nation. Read More: Tarique Rahman becomes BNP Chairman as per party constitution He also prayed for the salvation of the departed soul of Khaleda who died December 30 last year. Fakhrul also paid tribute to the martyrs of different democratic movements and the July mass uprising of 2004 and reaccled their role in paving the way for the restoration of democracy.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s planned tour of the northern districts has been postponed following a request from the Election Commission EC), party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Friday night. He made the announcement after a meeting of the party’s highest policymaking body, the National Standing Committee at the party chairman’s Gulshan office. Mirza Fakhrul said the Standing Committee earlier decided that Tarique Rahman would visit several districts in the northern region from January 11 to pay tributes to national leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani and Abu Sayeed, a martyr of the 2024 student-led mass uprising, along with other martyrs, by visiting their graves. “The tour also included some of his family responsibilities (of Tarique).” “However, at the request of the Election Commission, the BNP Chairman’s tour has been postponed,” he said. The BNP Standing Committee meeting was held with Tarique Rahman in the chair. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, among others, were present. Election Derailing Conspiracy Fakhrul alleged that a vested quarter is still conspiring to make the upcoming national election, scheduled for February, controversial and derail it. “You all know that various conspiracies are underway by a quarter to question and foil the election. Osman Hadi has been shot dead. Similarly, leaders of different political parties, particularly several BNP leaders, have been shot and killed. A few days ago, Musabbir, former member secretary of the Swechchhasebak Dal’s Dhaka North unit, was also shot dead,” he said. Fakhrul said the BNP strongly condemned the killing of Musabbir, expressed deep anger and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and their prosecution. He said the party repeatedly informed the government and the Election Commission that continued incidents of killing would destroy the election environment. Tarique made BNP chairman as per party constitution “We are once again urging the government and the Election Commission to take all necessary and effective measures so that the election environment is not ruined,” the BNP leader said. Referring to the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Fakhrul said the country witnessed the largest namaz-e-janaza in its history after her passing. “The massive gathering of people at her janaza was something Bangladesh has never seen before,” he said. On behalf of the BNP, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people who spontaneously participated in the janaza. He also thanked the armed forces, the chiefs of the three services, the government and members of law enforcement agencies, including police, RAB and BGB, for their cooperation in maintaining law and order during the programme. Khaleda Zia passed away on December 30 last year and was laid to rest beside her husband’s grave at Zia Udyan near Parliament in the capital.

Tarique Rahman formally assumed the position of Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday night in line with the party constitution. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the development after an emergency meeting of the party’s highest policymaking body, the National Standing Committee, held at the party Chairman’s Gulshan office with Tarique Rahman in the chair. “An emergency meeting of the National Standing Committee was held tonight at 9:00pm…At the meeting, the Standing Committee expressed satisfaction as Tarique Rahman, who had been the Acting Chairman, has now assumed the responsibility of Chairman in accordance with the party constitution,” he said. The BNP leader said their meeting also offered prayers for the Chairman’s success in leading the party. Replying to a question, the BNP Secretary General said, “Once someone becomes Chairman, there is no post of Acting Chairman.” The meeting was attended by Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. Earlier, a BNP Standing Committee member told UNB that Tarique Rahman had formally become Chairman as per the party constitution. He said the decision was unanimously approved at the Standing Committee meeting. Following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the issue was discussed within the party as Tarique Rahman, then serving as Senior Vice Chairman, automatically became Chairman under the BNP constitution. According to Article 7 (Ga), sub-clause 3 of the BNP constitution, if the position of Chairman falls vacant for any reason, the Senior Vice Chairman shall assume the post for the remainder of the term and continue until a new Chairman is elected under the constitution. As per sub-clause 2, Tarique Rahman had long been serving as Acting Chairman of the party. After Khaleda Zia was sent to prison on February 8, 2018, Tarique Rahman, as Senior Vice Chairman, automatically took over the responsibility of Acting Chairman under the party constitution. Although he held the post in an acting capacity for about seven years, he effectively led and managed the party throughout this period. Due to imprisonment and prolonged illness, Khaleda Zia was unable to perform organisational or executive responsibilities. From exile in London, Tarique Rahman oversaw the party and its affiliated organisations. The BNP was founded on September 1, 1978 by then President Ziaur Rahman, Tarique Rahman’s father, who served as the party’s Chairman. After President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in Chattogram on May 30, 1981, the then Acting President Justice Abdus Sattar took over as Acting Chairman of the party. Later, following consultations with senior party leaders, Begum Khaleda Zia, the widow of Ziaur Rahman, was entrusted with the leadership of the BNP. She served as party Chairperson for 41 consecutive years. According to information on the BNP website, Khaleda Zia became a primary member of the party on January 3, 1982. In March 1983, she was made Senior Vice Chairman. On January 12, 1984, she was nominated as Acting Chairperson and, on May 10 the same year, she was elected unopposed as BNP Chairperson. She later served as Prime Minister of Bangladesh after winning the fifth, sixth and eighth national parliamentary elections in 1991, 1996 and 2001 respectively. Tarique joined BNP as a primary member through Bogura BNP. He actively participated in nationwide election campaigns alongside his mother during the 1991 parliamentary election. In the 2001 election, he played a major role in election planning and campaigning across the country, marking his active entry into national politics. In 2002, he was appointed Senior Joint Secretary General following a decision of the party’s Standing Committee. Tarique Rahman takes a quiet walk to BNP’s Gulshan office He later focused on reorganising the party at the grassroots level by holding union-level representative conferences. At the party’s fifth national council in 2009, Tarique Rahman was elected Senior Vice Chairman. Through the sixth national council in 2016, he was further involved with the party’s top policymaking forum. In 2018, in the absence of the Chairperson, he formally assumed the responsibility of Acting Chairman, a role he continued until becoming the full Chairman of the BNP. Begum Khaleda Zia died on December 30 last year and was laid to rest beside her husband’s grave at Zia Udyan near the Parliament complex in the capital.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday held separate meetings with Germany’s Ambassador Rudiger Lotz and Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Riley. The meetings was held in the evening at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, first with the German envoy and later with the Australian envoy, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said the discussions focused on bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest. Pakistan envoy meets Tarique Rahman BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan and Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir attended the meetings. Earlier, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen met Tarique on Jan 7, followed by Pakistan’s High Commissioner on Friday afternoon.  

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday walked to the party’s chairperson’s Gulshan office, drawing attention for the unusual mode of travel. He reached the office at around 4:00pm, according to BNP Gulshan office sources and eyewitnesses. Earlier in the day, Tarique Rahman performed Friday prayers at the Naval Headquarters mosque before returning to his Gulshan-2 residence. From there, he walked to the Gulshan office, reaching it within 10 minutes. BNP warns rebel candidates to withdraw before deadline, or face action Since returning to Bangladesh from London on December 25 last year after 17 years in exile, Tarique Rahman has been working at the Gulshan office almost daily. However, his Friday’s walk surprised many, as it came despite the security risks usually associated with the movement of senior political leaders.