BNP will win upcoming election under Tarique’s leadership: Fakhrul

The BNP will win the next national election under the leadership of its Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, said the party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (25 December).

"Under Tarique Rahman's leadership, we ousted fascism on 5 August 2024. We have crossed a difficult path under his guidance. We will win the election scheduled for 12 February 2026 under the leadership of Tarique Rahman," Fakhrul said while addressing a reception organised in Purbachal's 300 feet area, to welcome the BNP leader following his return to the country.

Welcoming Tarique Rahman on behalf of the people of Bangladesh, he said the BNP leader had guided the party's democratic movement from abroad for more than 17 years in the face of repression and persecution.

"For 17 long years, despite fascist oppression and exile, Tarique Rahman provided leadership from afar and moved our struggle for democracy forward. After enduring a life of repression and exile, he has now returned among us. This has been the most difficult phase of our democratic transition, and we have overcome it under his leadership," Mirza Fakhrul said.

Seeking prayers for Tarique Rahman and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, he added, "We pray that under Tarique Rahman's leadership we can establish democracy and the rule of law, and implement his 31-point reform agenda."

Earlier in the day, at around 11:45am, a Biman Bangladesh Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flight (BG-202) carrying Tarique Rahman landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

After completing brief formalities, he proceeded to the reception venue at the Purbachal 300 feet area.

Tarique Rahman reached the reception venue at around 3:45pm and delivered a short speech. After the programme, he left for Evercare Hospital to meet his mother and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Later at 8:30pm he arrived at his residence in Gulshan Avenue.