Wednesday, 01 October, 2025
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday cautioned that Bangladesh risks sliding into a “covert autocracy” if democratic and nationalist forces fail to remain united ahead of the next national election.
“In the past 15 years, the nation has experienced another form of autocracy, and people ultimately removed it,” Tarique said. “If we cannot make people understand the ground reality, if we fail to remain united, then in the coming days a hidden autocracy could emerge in the country.”
He made the remarks while virtually addressing the biennial council of BNP’s Cumilla South District unit at Town Hall field.
Tarique warned that disunity among democratic forces could allow authoritarianism to resurface, recalling past instances of political repression. “If we do not unite now—if democratic forces fail to come together, if we cannot unite the people—then, just as autocracy gripped the nation after independence, and just as a fascist regime rose after the 1/11 events and the so-called 2008 election, the same could happen again,” he said.
Calling on BNP leaders and activists across the country to put aside internal differences, Tarique stressed, “We have no alternative but to unite. This must be our pledge and our oath.”
He said that with the ouster of the Awami League’s “autocratic regime,” the responsibility now lies with BNP to rebuild and reconstruct the nation through united efforts.
Reminding party colleagues that “the people are the real source of BNP’s strength,” Tarique urged them to engage directly with citizens. “We must go to them, listen to them, and work the way they expect. Only then can we protect the country and rebuild it,” he said.
Tarique Rahman likened the nation to a house, saying that just as many workers are needed to build a beautiful home, rebuilding Bangladesh also requires collective effort. “But to destroy a house, it doesn’t take many,” he noted. “This country belongs to you, me, and all of us. It must be rebuilt. And as political workers, our first duty is to go to the people, because they are the true strength behind nation-building.”
He instructed BNP leaders and activists to form small groups of two or three and conduct door-to-door outreach. “We must tell the people how BNP will rebuild the country if entrusted with their support—how we will reform education for their children, improve communications, empower women, stand beside farmers, and strengthen education and healthcare systems.”
Tarique stressed that BNP’s message must reach every section of society—young and old, men and women, in every household.
Addressing the same programme, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the people of Bangladesh are ready for the upcoming election, though “some parties are trying to derail it under various pretexts.”
He accused a “vested quarter” of running negative campaigns against BNP by spreading disinformation and misinformation on social media. Salahuddin urged BNP leaders and activists, along with associate organisations across the country, to be proactive online and counter propaganda targeting the party.
He also criticised efforts to use religion for political gain, warning against the narrative of a “single ballot box for Islam,” and called for vigilance against attempts to divide people along communal lines.
Salahuddin further urged BNP leaders and activists to remain cautious so that “no one can obstruct the restoration of democracy by hatching different plots.”
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BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday cautioned that Bangladesh risks sliding into a “covert autocracy” if democratic and nationalist forces fail to remain united ahead of the next national election.
“In the past 15 years, the nation has experienced another form of autocracy, and people ultimately removed it,” Tarique said. “If we cannot make people understand the ground reality, if we fail to remain united, then in the coming days a hidden autocracy could emerge in the country.”
He made the remarks while virtually addressing the biennial council of BNP’s Cumilla South District unit at Town Hall field.
Tarique warned that disunity among democratic forces could allow authoritarianism to resurface, recalling past instances of political repression. “If we do not unite now—if democratic forces fail to come together, if we cannot unite the people—then, just as autocracy gripped the nation after independence, and just as a fascist regime rose after the 1/11 events and the so-called 2008 election, the same could happen again,” he said.
Calling on BNP leaders and activists across the country to put aside internal differences, Tarique stressed, “We have no alternative but to unite. This must be our pledge and our oath.”
He said that with the ouster of the Awami League’s “autocratic regime,” the responsibility now lies with BNP to rebuild and reconstruct the nation through united efforts.
Reminding party colleagues that “the people are the real source of BNP’s strength,” Tarique urged them to engage directly with citizens. “We must go to them, listen to them, and work the way they expect. Only then can we protect the country and rebuild it,” he said.
Tarique Rahman likened the nation to a house, saying that just as many workers are needed to build a beautiful home, rebuilding Bangladesh also requires collective effort. “But to destroy a house, it doesn’t take many,” he noted. “This country belongs to you, me, and all of us. It must be rebuilt. And as political workers, our first duty is to go to the people, because they are the true strength behind nation-building.”
He instructed BNP leaders and activists to form small groups of two or three and conduct door-to-door outreach. “We must tell the people how BNP will rebuild the country if entrusted with their support—how we will reform education for their children, improve communications, empower women, stand beside farmers, and strengthen education and healthcare systems.”
Tarique stressed that BNP’s message must reach every section of society—young and old, men and women, in every household.
Addressing the same programme, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the people of Bangladesh are ready for the upcoming election, though “some parties are trying to derail it under various pretexts.”
He accused a “vested quarter” of running negative campaigns against BNP by spreading disinformation and misinformation on social media. Salahuddin urged BNP leaders and activists, along with associate organisations across the country, to be proactive online and counter propaganda targeting the party.
He also criticised efforts to use religion for political gain, warning against the narrative of a “single ballot box for Islam,” and called for vigilance against attempts to divide people along communal lines.
Salahuddin further urged BNP leaders and activists to remain cautious so that “no one can obstruct the restoration of democracy by hatching different plots.”
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