The day our leader arrives and sets foot in Bangladesh, whole country should shake: Fakhrul on Tarique's return

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (11 December) issued a dramatic call to party leaders and activists, urging them to prepare for a moment that he said should make "the whole country shake" – the long-awaited return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Speaking at the opening session of the fifth day of "BNP's Plan to Build the Country" workshop in Dhaka, Fakhrul said Tarique Rahman would return to Bangladesh "very soon" after 17 years of exile in London.

"Since all our leaders are here today, I want to tell you that our leader [Tarique] will come back to us very soon. The day our leader arrives and sets foot in Bangladesh, the whole country should shake. You must remember this… You will be able to do it, InshaAllah," he told party members, urging them to be ready to give Tarique a grand reception.

Fakhrul said the BNP wants to advance with a progressive vision to place Bangladesh in a dignified position. "We want progress. To place Bangladesh in a position of dignity, we want to carry forward our leader's thoughts and plans."

His remarks came as Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin is scheduled to address the nation in the evening to announce the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election.

Fakhrul said the announcement of the schedule would open the way for people to establish new leadership through a fresh election. "We now have the chance to work with the people to form a truly representative parliament — a parliament that will lead Bangladesh towards a new horizon, under the leadership of our leader Tarique Rahman."

Calling for a decisive victory in the upcoming polls, he said BNP must overcome all obstacles — political campaigns against the party, difficulties, and barriers. "BNP has never been defeated, and it will not be defeated."

Describing the BNP as a party rooted in the people, the Liberation War and the democratic struggle, Fakhrul urged leaders to remain united. "Nothing else will bring you success. What will bring success is unity — a strong, steel-like unity — and the spirit to move forward with our nationalist and democratic ideals."

BNP's six-day workshop — involving Chhatra Dal, Krishak Dal, Ulema Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and other front organisations — is intended to prepare them for pre-election campaigning. The fifth day's programme was inaugurated at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka's Farmgate, with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi presiding.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to address the concluding session of the workshop virtually in the afternoon. Leaders and activists joined the event to receive training aimed at helping them reach out to citizens and explain BNP's plans, manifesto and pre-poll promises.