Emphasising the need for maintaining peace, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday said he has a plan for the country and its people and sought the cooperation from all for its implementation.

“We want peace in every possible way…if we remain united we can fulfill the expectations of the people,” he said while addressing party leaders, supporters and the nation at a reception at the 300 Feet road in the capital in the afternoon.

Recalling the famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech by African-American leader Martin Luther King, Tarique said, “Standing on Bangladesh soil today, as a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, I want to say before all of you that I have a plan for the people of my country, for my country.”

The BNP leader said his plan is aimed at serving the interests of the people, ensuring national development and changing the fortunes of the country’s citizens.

“If this plan and these actions are to be implemented, I will need the cooperation of every person present in this sea of people and of all those across democratic forces of Bangladesh who represent. If you stand by us and support us, Insha’Allah, we will be able to implement my plan,” he said.

After concluding his 15-minute speech, he waved to the party audience in greeting and returned to the microphone to once again remind them of his plan for the people and for the country, expressing his vow to implement that plan.

In his speech, which began with the address ‘Dear Bangladesh’, Tarique Rahman expressed his gratitude to Allah, saying that by His endless mercy, he has been able to return to his beloved motherland and people through their prayers.

Recalling the July Uprising and the Liberation War, he said Bangladesh was independent in 1971 at the cost of the blood of millions of martyrs.

In the same way, the BNP leader said the revolution of 7 November 1975 took place to protect the country from the hands of hegemonic forces.

Similarly, the hardworking people of the country had reclaimed their democratic rights in the 90s waging an anti-autocratic movement. “But the conspiracies did not stop there.”

“Just as the people of this country achieved independence in 1971, in the same way, people from all walks of life—including students, the general public, farmers, workers, homemakers, women and men, and madrasa students, regardless of party, class, or profession—protected the country’s independence and sovereignty on 5 August 2024,” Tarique said.

Recalling the martyrs of the July movement, he said a few days ago Osman Hadi, a member of the brave generation of the ’24 movement, was killed and he became a martyr.

Tarique said Osman Hadi wanted democracy to be established for the people of the country. “Those who were martyred in the ’24 movement, and those, including Osman Hadi, who were victims of abduction and killing during past autocratic rule—if we are to repay the debt of their blood, then let us build the Bangladesh we have long hoped for.”

The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh now want to regain their right to speak and to reclaim their democratic rights. “The people of Bangladesh want their rightful entitlements based on merit. Today, the time has come for all of us to work together to build the country.”

Addressing the younger generation, he said the cohorts of various hegemonic powers are engaged in conspiracies in many ways. “You must remain patient and calm in the face of any provocation. At all costs, the peace and order of this country must be maintained.”

Tarique said that just as the country has people living in hills, it also has people living in the plains, adding, “Bangladesh is home to people of many religions, including Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and Hindus.”

Expressing his desire to build a safe Bangladesh for everyone, he said, “We want a Bangladesh where any woman, man, or child can leave their home safely and return safely, Insha’Allah.”

The BNP leader said half of the country’s population are women while over four crore are young people, around five crore are children, about 40 lakh are people with disabilities, and millions are farmers and workers. “These people have expectations from the country. If we unite today and make a commitment together, we can fulfill the hopes of these crores of people, Insha’Allah.”

Stressing the importance of peace and order, the BNP Acting Chairman said, “No matter our religion, class, political party, or if we are non-political citizens, we must ensure, at any cost, that peace and order are maintained in our country. At any cost, we must reject disorder. At any cost, we must ensure that people are safe. Children, women, men, of any age, class, profession, or religion—all must be safe. This must be our goal.”

Remembering the sacrifices of the martyrs of 1971, he said, those who sacrificed their lives in the 1971 Liberation War had a dream to build such a Bangladesh.

During the past 15 years of the autocratic regime, the BNP leader said hundreds and thousands have been victims of abduction and killing. “Not only political party members but ordinary citizens have faced persecution and even lost their lives while protesting.”

Promising to uphold justice based on the Prophet’s (pbuh) ideals, he said, “Let us all pledge together that, Insha’Allah, those who take responsibility for running the country in the future will strive to lead it according to the justice exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).”

Tarique said, as a son, his heart lies beside his mother’s hospital bed due to her illness. “But I cannot leave behind the people for whom she has dedicated her life in any way. That is why I have stood here today to express my gratitude to you before going to the hospital.”

Seeking prayers for his mother’s health, he said, “From here, I will go to my mother, the national leader Khaleda Zia. She is someone who has loved the land and the people of this country more than her own life. You are all aware of what has happened to her. As a son, I ask you to pray before Allah today, that He grants her the strength to recover and be well.”

Earlier, Tarique arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:44am, ending his 17 years in exile.

The motorcade carrying Tarique Rahman arrived at the public reception venue, after nearly three hours and ten minutes, delayed by the huge crowds gathered on both sides of the road to welcome him.

He travelled from the airport to the venue in a bus decorated in red and green colours.

Around 3:50pm, Tarique Rahman took the stage, waving to party leaders and supporters, and began his speech at 3:57pm.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir welcomed Tarique Rahman to the stage. Before Tarique’s speech, Mirza Fakhrul and Salahuddin Ahmed, the convener of the reception committee and a member of the party’s standing committee, delivered brief speeches.

Other standing committee members present on the reception stage included Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and AZM Zahid Hossain.

Leaders from different political parties, especially the partners of the party’s simultaneous movement were also present.

Hundreds of thousands of leaders and supporters from across the country participated in the programme organised to welcome Tarique Rahman.