Thursday, 05 February, 2026
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday launched a fierce attack on an unnamed political force, accusing leaders of a once “secret organisation” of emerging as new tyrants indistinguishable from past autocrats, warning that their rise poses a grave threat to democracy, dignity and public safety.
Addressing a massive election rally at Bells Park ground in Barishal city, Tarique said the group had shed its covert identity only to reappear as “new oppressors”, using the same language and tactics once employed by authoritarian rulers.
“Mothers and sisters of this country are not safe from them,” he said. “After August 5, 2024, they have started using the same abusive language against us that autocrats used before. This exposes who they really are.”
Without naming the party, the BNP leader said the organisation’s leaders and activists had shown “utter contempt for human dignity”, particularly through what he described as slanderous and insulting remarks against women.
“I observe with pain and disgust that their leaders openly use vile language against women,” he said. “They have no respect for mothers and sisters, no respect for human values.”
Tarique cited a recent remark by a leader of the alleged covert force in Comilla, who reportedly said they would beg for votes by touching people’s feet until polling day, but reverse their behaviour afterwards. “What kind of mentality is this?” Tarique asked. “How they treat people has now been fully exposed.”
He warned voters that if such forces were elected, ordinary people would face “complete misery”. “They must be taught a lesson at the ballot box. People must remain cautious,” he said.
The BNP chairman claimed the covert group had consistently aligned itself with authoritarian regimes, calling it “the other side of the same coin”. “They stood with autocrats in ’71, ’86, ’96 and for the past 15 years,” he alleged.
Turning to governance, Tarique said Bangladesh would be run strictly on the basis of the people’s verdict. He said voters would elect a government on February 12 that would be directly accountable to them. “State power belongs to the people alone,” he declared.
Highlighting regional issues, Tarique described river erosion as Barishal’s biggest challenge and pledged to build embankments and complete long-stalled development projects if the BNP returned to power. He said many initiatives launched during previous BNP governments remained unfinished and needed urgent completion.
Stressing gender equality, Tarique said the country could not progress by confining women to their homes. “Men and women must move forward together, shoulder to shoulder. Without women’s full participation, the nation cannot be rebuilt,” he said.
The Barishal rally, presided over by Barishal Metropolitan BNP convenor Moniruzzaman Khan Faruq, also saw Tarique introduce BNP and alliance candidates for 21 parliamentary seats across the six districts of the division.
After nearly two decades, Tarique’s appearance in Barishal drew huge crowds from across the region. From early morning, leaders and activists arrived in colourful processions, beating drums and chanting slogans in favour of the BNP’s electoral symbol, the Paddy Sheaf. Tarique arrived by helicopter at Barishal Outer Stadium before proceeding to the rally venue in a motorcade amid loud cheers.
Later in the day, addressing another large rally at Government Rajendra College ground in Faridpur, Tarique announced that a Faridpur division would be created if the BNP formed the next government.
He said the BNP believed all state authority flowed from the people and sought to govern with that principle at its core. Referring to long-standing river erosion along the Padma and other rivers, he pledged effective measures to protect lives, land and livelihoods in the region.
The Faridpur rally drew tens of thousands of supporters, with the venue and surrounding areas turning into what party leaders described as a “sea of people”. An atmosphere of festivity prevailed across the district, with many attendees saying the massive turnout signalled a strong public desire for political change.
Senior BNP leaders, including central organising secretary for Faridpur division Shama Obaid and district leaders, also addressed the gathering, expressing confidence that a BNP government under Tarique Rahman would accelerate development in the southern and central regions of the country.
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BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday launched a fierce attack on an unnamed political force, accusing leaders of a once “secret organisation” of emerging as new tyrants indistinguishable from past autocrats, warning that their rise poses a grave threat to democracy, dignity and public safety.
Addressing a massive election rally at Bells Park ground in Barishal city, Tarique said the group had shed its covert identity only to reappear as “new oppressors”, using the same language and tactics once employed by authoritarian rulers.
“Mothers and sisters of this country are not safe from them,” he said. “After August 5, 2024, they have started using the same abusive language against us that autocrats used before. This exposes who they really are.”
Without naming the party, the BNP leader said the organisation’s leaders and activists had shown “utter contempt for human dignity”, particularly through what he described as slanderous and insulting remarks against women.
“I observe with pain and disgust that their leaders openly use vile language against women,” he said. “They have no respect for mothers and sisters, no respect for human values.”
Tarique cited a recent remark by a leader of the alleged covert force in Comilla, who reportedly said they would beg for votes by touching people’s feet until polling day, but reverse their behaviour afterwards. “What kind of mentality is this?” Tarique asked. “How they treat people has now been fully exposed.”
He warned voters that if such forces were elected, ordinary people would face “complete misery”. “They must be taught a lesson at the ballot box. People must remain cautious,” he said.
The BNP chairman claimed the covert group had consistently aligned itself with authoritarian regimes, calling it “the other side of the same coin”. “They stood with autocrats in ’71, ’86, ’96 and for the past 15 years,” he alleged.
Turning to governance, Tarique said Bangladesh would be run strictly on the basis of the people’s verdict. He said voters would elect a government on February 12 that would be directly accountable to them. “State power belongs to the people alone,” he declared.
Highlighting regional issues, Tarique described river erosion as Barishal’s biggest challenge and pledged to build embankments and complete long-stalled development projects if the BNP returned to power. He said many initiatives launched during previous BNP governments remained unfinished and needed urgent completion.
Stressing gender equality, Tarique said the country could not progress by confining women to their homes. “Men and women must move forward together, shoulder to shoulder. Without women’s full participation, the nation cannot be rebuilt,” he said.
The Barishal rally, presided over by Barishal Metropolitan BNP convenor Moniruzzaman Khan Faruq, also saw Tarique introduce BNP and alliance candidates for 21 parliamentary seats across the six districts of the division.
After nearly two decades, Tarique’s appearance in Barishal drew huge crowds from across the region. From early morning, leaders and activists arrived in colourful processions, beating drums and chanting slogans in favour of the BNP’s electoral symbol, the Paddy Sheaf. Tarique arrived by helicopter at Barishal Outer Stadium before proceeding to the rally venue in a motorcade amid loud cheers.
Later in the day, addressing another large rally at Government Rajendra College ground in Faridpur, Tarique announced that a Faridpur division would be created if the BNP formed the next government.
He said the BNP believed all state authority flowed from the people and sought to govern with that principle at its core. Referring to long-standing river erosion along the Padma and other rivers, he pledged effective measures to protect lives, land and livelihoods in the region.
The Faridpur rally drew tens of thousands of supporters, with the venue and surrounding areas turning into what party leaders described as a “sea of people”. An atmosphere of festivity prevailed across the district, with many attendees saying the massive turnout signalled a strong public desire for political change.
Senior BNP leaders, including central organising secretary for Faridpur division Shama Obaid and district leaders, also addressed the gathering, expressing confidence that a BNP government under Tarique Rahman would accelerate development in the southern and central regions of the country.
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