Saturday, 07 February, 2026
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday unveiled an expansive election manifesto for the 13th parliamentary polls, placing governance, accountability and citizens’ welfare at the centre of its bid to return to power after nearly two decades.
Branded under the guiding vision of “Bangladesh First”, the 44-page manifesto outlines a comprehensive agenda of political, economic and social reforms aimed at building what the party describes as a welfare-oriented, democratic and prosperous state.
The manifesto was formally announced by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman at a ceremony at a city hotel, just six days ahead of the national election. It contains 51 commitments grouped under five broad themes, with nine priority pledges identified as the party’s immediate focus should it form the next government.
Speaking for nearly two hours, Tarique Rahman said the success of any reform agenda would hinge on restoring good governance by decisively tackling corruption, enforcing the rule of law and establishing institutional accountability.
“None of the plans and programmes we have placed before the nation can succeed unless corruption is eliminated, the rule of law is enforced and accountability is ensured,” he said, pledging that a BNP government would act firmly on these three fronts “at any cost”.
Branded under the guiding vision of “Bangladesh First”, the 44-page manifesto outlines a comprehensive agenda of political, economic and social reforms aimed at building what the party describes as a welfare-oriented, democratic and prosperous state.
Under the slogan of building a “welfare-oriented and prosperous Bangladesh”, the manifesto identifies nine priority areas, which BNP leaders described not merely as electoral promises but as a new social and state compact with citizens.
Key pledges include the introduction of a Family Card to protect marginalised and low-income households and a Farmer Card to ensure fair prices and state support for farmers, fishermen, livestock rearers and small traders. The party also committed to recruiting 100,000 health workers and overhauling the education system through a skills- and values-based policy designed to make learning “joyful, practical and employment-oriented”.
Other priority commitments focus on tackling youth unemployment, developing sports as a viable profession through expanded infrastructure and training at district and upazila levels, and strengthening environmental protection and climate resilience through public participation.
Environmental pledges include the excavation and re-excavation of 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals, the plantation of 250 million trees over five years, and the introduction of a modern waste management system nationwide.
Beyond the nine priorities, the manifesto outlines a wide-ranging reform agenda, including the appointment of an ombudsman, recovery of laundered money siphoned abroad, and the trial of crimes against humanity committed during what BNP termed the country’s “fascist era”.
The party pledged to establish a Truth and Healing Commission under a proposed National Reconciliation framework to ensure victim-centred, restorative justice following the July mass uprising and the 16-year anti-authoritarian movement.
The manifesto also promises recognition, treatment and rehabilitation of injured activists, alongside support for families of those killed during the movement.
Emphasising electoral and constitutional reform, BNP vowed to restore voting as the sole legitimate source of state power, end what it called authoritarian rule, and build a sustainable democratic framework through reforms to the election system and the Constitution.
The party pledged zero tolerance for authoritarianism and foreign subservience, while committing to protect media freedom, guarantee freedom of expression, and eliminate discrimination across society.
It also promised a state-led survey to prepare an accurate list of martyrs of the Liberation War, ensure dignity and recognition for freedom fighters, preserve the correct history of the war, and encourage investment by freedom fighter entrepreneurs.
On social protection, BNP committed to building a rights-based welfare system, including expanded social safety nets, increased allowances, an effective pension scheme for private-sector workers, and targeted support for persons with disabilities, orphans, backward regions and marginalised communities.
Women’s empowerment features prominently, with pledges to issue Family Cards in the name of the female head of household and provide free education for women up to postgraduate level.
In agriculture, the party promised loan waivers with interest up to Tk 10,000 and enhanced price protection through Farmer Cards.
To address unemployment, BNP pledged to establish government employment exchanges at district and upazila levels, launch free internet services at key public locations, and set up overseas employment training and language centres.
The manifesto sets out an ambitious economic vision, aiming to transform Bangladesh into a $1 trillion economy by 2034 by shifting from consumption-driven to investment-led growth.
Key proposals include raising foreign direct investment to 2.5% of GDP, expanding SME and startup financing through guarantee schemes, cash-flow-based loans, crowdfunding and insurance, and forming an Economic Reform Commission to restore confidence in the banking sector, control inflation and rationalise interest rates.
The party also pledged autonomy for the Securities and Exchange Commission, the creation of a Capital Market Protection Commission, and a special probe into financial irregularities over the past 15 years.
Infrastructure plans include developing Chattogram and Mongla ports into integrated logistics hubs, expanding power generation capacity to 35,000 MW by 2030, and reviewing costly rental and quick-rental power contracts.
BNP aims to position Bangladesh as a global ICT and AI hub, create one million new ICT jobs, and ensure fast, reliable internet access through a national connectivity master plan.
It pledged to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio to 15% in phases and ensure balanced regional development through planned urbanisation, affordable housing, land banks, waste management systems and citizen service centres.
Outlining his foreign policy vision, Tarique Rahman said a BNP government would prioritise national sovereignty and citizens’ welfare while fostering constructive global partnerships.
“By protecting our country’s interests and our people’s welfare, we will seek friendship and cooperation that create jobs and strengthen the economy,” he said, stressing that Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty would remain “intact”.
On the Rohingya crisis, he reiterated support for humanitarian assistance alongside efforts to ensure safe and gradual repatriation, while calling for dialogue with India to resolve long-standing water-sharing disputes, including over the Teesta.
The manifesto also pledges to build a politics-free, professional and strong armed force, implement one-rank-one-pension for retired military personnel, modernise defence capabilities, and maintain a firm stance against terrorism and extremism.
Friday’s event marked the first time BNP has unveiled an election manifesto under Tarique Rahman’s leadership. In previous elections, the party’s manifestos were announced by former prime minister and chairperson Khaleda Zia.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir presided over the programme, attended by senior party leaders, alliance partners, veteran editors, academics, professionals and members of the foreign diplomatic corps.
The manifesto signals BNP’s most comprehensive attempt yet to reframe the election debate around governance, institutional reform and citizens’ welfare as the country heads into a critical national vote.
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The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday unveiled an expansive election manifesto for the 13th parliamentary polls, placing governance, accountability and citizens’ welfare at the centre of its bid to return to power after nearly two decades.
Branded under the guiding vision of “Bangladesh First”, the 44-page manifesto outlines a comprehensive agenda of political, economic and social reforms aimed at building what the party describes as a welfare-oriented, democratic and prosperous state.
The manifesto was formally announced by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman at a ceremony at a city hotel, just six days ahead of the national election. It contains 51 commitments grouped under five broad themes, with nine priority pledges identified as the party’s immediate focus should it form the next government.
Speaking for nearly two hours, Tarique Rahman said the success of any reform agenda would hinge on restoring good governance by decisively tackling corruption, enforcing the rule of law and establishing institutional accountability.
“None of the plans and programmes we have placed before the nation can succeed unless corruption is eliminated, the rule of law is enforced and accountability is ensured,” he said, pledging that a BNP government would act firmly on these three fronts “at any cost”.
Branded under the guiding vision of “Bangladesh First”, the 44-page manifesto outlines a comprehensive agenda of political, economic and social reforms aimed at building what the party describes as a welfare-oriented, democratic and prosperous state.
Under the slogan of building a “welfare-oriented and prosperous Bangladesh”, the manifesto identifies nine priority areas, which BNP leaders described not merely as electoral promises but as a new social and state compact with citizens.
Key pledges include the introduction of a Family Card to protect marginalised and low-income households and a Farmer Card to ensure fair prices and state support for farmers, fishermen, livestock rearers and small traders. The party also committed to recruiting 100,000 health workers and overhauling the education system through a skills- and values-based policy designed to make learning “joyful, practical and employment-oriented”.
Other priority commitments focus on tackling youth unemployment, developing sports as a viable profession through expanded infrastructure and training at district and upazila levels, and strengthening environmental protection and climate resilience through public participation.
Environmental pledges include the excavation and re-excavation of 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals, the plantation of 250 million trees over five years, and the introduction of a modern waste management system nationwide.
Beyond the nine priorities, the manifesto outlines a wide-ranging reform agenda, including the appointment of an ombudsman, recovery of laundered money siphoned abroad, and the trial of crimes against humanity committed during what BNP termed the country’s “fascist era”.
The party pledged to establish a Truth and Healing Commission under a proposed National Reconciliation framework to ensure victim-centred, restorative justice following the July mass uprising and the 16-year anti-authoritarian movement.
The manifesto also promises recognition, treatment and rehabilitation of injured activists, alongside support for families of those killed during the movement.
Emphasising electoral and constitutional reform, BNP vowed to restore voting as the sole legitimate source of state power, end what it called authoritarian rule, and build a sustainable democratic framework through reforms to the election system and the Constitution.
The party pledged zero tolerance for authoritarianism and foreign subservience, while committing to protect media freedom, guarantee freedom of expression, and eliminate discrimination across society.
It also promised a state-led survey to prepare an accurate list of martyrs of the Liberation War, ensure dignity and recognition for freedom fighters, preserve the correct history of the war, and encourage investment by freedom fighter entrepreneurs.
On social protection, BNP committed to building a rights-based welfare system, including expanded social safety nets, increased allowances, an effective pension scheme for private-sector workers, and targeted support for persons with disabilities, orphans, backward regions and marginalised communities.
Women’s empowerment features prominently, with pledges to issue Family Cards in the name of the female head of household and provide free education for women up to postgraduate level.
In agriculture, the party promised loan waivers with interest up to Tk 10,000 and enhanced price protection through Farmer Cards.
To address unemployment, BNP pledged to establish government employment exchanges at district and upazila levels, launch free internet services at key public locations, and set up overseas employment training and language centres.
The manifesto sets out an ambitious economic vision, aiming to transform Bangladesh into a $1 trillion economy by 2034 by shifting from consumption-driven to investment-led growth.
Key proposals include raising foreign direct investment to 2.5% of GDP, expanding SME and startup financing through guarantee schemes, cash-flow-based loans, crowdfunding and insurance, and forming an Economic Reform Commission to restore confidence in the banking sector, control inflation and rationalise interest rates.
The party also pledged autonomy for the Securities and Exchange Commission, the creation of a Capital Market Protection Commission, and a special probe into financial irregularities over the past 15 years.
Infrastructure plans include developing Chattogram and Mongla ports into integrated logistics hubs, expanding power generation capacity to 35,000 MW by 2030, and reviewing costly rental and quick-rental power contracts.
BNP aims to position Bangladesh as a global ICT and AI hub, create one million new ICT jobs, and ensure fast, reliable internet access through a national connectivity master plan.
It pledged to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio to 15% in phases and ensure balanced regional development through planned urbanisation, affordable housing, land banks, waste management systems and citizen service centres.
Outlining his foreign policy vision, Tarique Rahman said a BNP government would prioritise national sovereignty and citizens’ welfare while fostering constructive global partnerships.
“By protecting our country’s interests and our people’s welfare, we will seek friendship and cooperation that create jobs and strengthen the economy,” he said, stressing that Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty would remain “intact”.
On the Rohingya crisis, he reiterated support for humanitarian assistance alongside efforts to ensure safe and gradual repatriation, while calling for dialogue with India to resolve long-standing water-sharing disputes, including over the Teesta.
The manifesto also pledges to build a politics-free, professional and strong armed force, implement one-rank-one-pension for retired military personnel, modernise defence capabilities, and maintain a firm stance against terrorism and extremism.
Friday’s event marked the first time BNP has unveiled an election manifesto under Tarique Rahman’s leadership. In previous elections, the party’s manifestos were announced by former prime minister and chairperson Khaleda Zia.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir presided over the programme, attended by senior party leaders, alliance partners, veteran editors, academics, professionals and members of the foreign diplomatic corps.
The manifesto signals BNP’s most comprehensive attempt yet to reframe the election debate around governance, institutional reform and citizens’ welfare as the country heads into a critical national vote.
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