United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday pledged to stand by the residents of Korail Slum and work to improve their living conditions, saying his politics is centred on improving the lives of ordinary people. “The house where I grew up, after independence, was demolished and flattened by the autocratic government… You saw it with your own eyes. I am now your son. I will stand by you and by the people of this area,” he said. Tarique made the remarks while attending a milad and doa mahfil organised by residents of Korail at the T&T Colony field in Mohakhali, seeking divine blessings for the salvation of the departed soul of late BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. BNP awaits landslide victory; some parties don’t want election: Fakhrul The doa mahfil was conducted by Abdu Salam, chief coordinator of BNP’s election steering committee for Dhaka-17 constituency. Tarique Rahman’s wife Zubaida Rahman also attended the programme.

Urging all to remain vigilant against any attempts to obstruct the path of democratic transition, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said his party still intends to show restraint despite what he described as the Election Commission’s recent controversial roles and positions. Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with family members of victims of enforced disappearances, killings and torture during the anti-fascist movement, he also said that despite widespread repression, BNP leaders and activists never went into hiding or assumed a clandestine posture in the name of strategy. “Though it is painful to say, we have recently witnessed some controversial roles and positions taken by the Election Commission. Even then, as a responsible political party, we want to demonstrate patience,” Tarique said. He said generations of democracy-loving people should draw inspiration from the sacrifices of the martyrs and from those who were forcibly disappeared and are still missing, for whom families continue to wait. Amra BNP Poribar and Mayer Daak jointly arranged the programme at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center. The event honoured victims of enforced disappearances, killings and torture during the Awami League government, and paid tribute to the late BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Read More: Grenade Attack Case: SC to hear appeal petition challenging acquittal of Tareque, Babar Thursday Warning that some quarters are trying to create controversy to obstruct the democratic path, Tarique urged people of all political affiliations who believe in democracy to remain vigilant. “Those who are trying, using various pretexts, to create controversy and once again ruin the democratic path must not be allowed to succeed.” Referring to the long anti-fascist movement, he said its intensity had at times subsided and at other times reached its peak, but BNP leaders and activists never abandoned the streets despite years of enforced disappearances, killings, abductions, false cases, harassment and torture. “In the same family, if one brother was forcibly disappeared, another stepped forward to take his place and stood on the streets, pledging to intensify the movement further. BNP activists did not go into hiding or assume a covert or dormant posture in the name of strategy,” Tarique said. “I firmly believe that no one can suppress a party whose leaders and activists take such an uncompromising stand against injustice through conspiracy or propaganda, Insha’Allah,” the BNP Chairman observed. Addressing the bereaved families, the BNP Chairman reiterated the party’s long-standing pledge that if BNP, with the support of the people, forms the government, it will name important roads and key state institutions after the martyrs so that future generations can remember them with pride. “We are with you,” he said. Tarique also said families who suffered from state violence deserve proper state support. “I personally believe that the state must extend support to these families to the fullest extent possible,” he added. He said Bangladesh now has an opportunity to build a humane state that is accountable to the people. Tarique stressed the urgent need to establish a democratic government in Bangladesh to ensure justice for all past wrongs, including enforced disappearances, killings and torture during the Awami League’s rule. “If we miss this opportunity to form a responsible democratic state and government, the sacrifices of our martyrs will go unrecognised, and it will be an injustice to them,” he said. The BNP leader recalled those who were martyred in 1971 for the country’s independence, those who lost their lives in the 1990 anti-autocracy movement, victims of enforced disappearances over the past 16 years, and those who were martyred, injured or otherwise suffered during the August 5, 2024 movement. “All their sacrifices must be honoured with justice. To ensure justice for every injustice, a democratic government in Bangladesh is essential,” he added. Tarique also said the only way for families of victims to receive justice under the country’s laws is to establish a democratic government that fulfils the aspirations of the people and ensures justice for those who were oppressed and tortured. He called on all to remain committed to the cause, saying, “Let us take a pledge today and hold on to this expectation. Your presence here should not go in vain. We will work patiently so that justice is delivered for all wrongs and the families of martyrs and victims receive their rightful justice.” Read more: US officials hold virtual meeting with Tarique Rahman on tariff issue "The state can never forget you. To honour the sacrifices of all martyrs, BNP has planned initiatives,” Tarique said.  He, however, did not share the full details of the plan due to Election Commission regulations and the Election Code of Conduct. Some family members of those who were forcibly disappeared also shared their experiences of grief and suffering during the programme.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday evening entered the state guest house Jamuna with his family to pay a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. Tarique arrived at Jamuna at around 7:30pm. Earlier, he left the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan at 6:42pm and went to his residence, from where he departed for Jamuna with his family at 6:52pm. BNP seeks candidates’ names, symbols on postal ballots Earlier in the afternoon, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul told a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy that Tarique Rahman would meet the Chief Adviser with his family as part of a courtesy call, stressing that the meeting carries no political agenda. This will be the first formal meeting between Prof Yunus and Tarique Rahman in Bangladesh since the latter’s return home. The two last met in person on June 13 last year in London during Prof Yunus’ visit to the UK. That meeting took place at the Dorchester Hotel, when Tarique Rahman was serving as BNP’s acting chairman, and was followed by a joint statement from representatives of both sides. After spending 17 years in exile in the UK, Tarique returned to Bangladesh on December 25. Tarique listens to NTRCA job seekers’ grievances on the street Upon arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, he spoke with Prof Yunus over the phone while waiting at the VIP lounge. A brief interaction between the two also took place on December 31 during the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Jatiya Sangsad complex, following her death on December 30. Tarique Rahman was elected BNP chairman on January 9 through a unanimous decision of the party’s highest policymaking body, the National Standing Committee. Thursday’s meeting marks his first engagement with the Chief Adviser in his capacity as BNP chairman.  

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday (January 15, 2026) stepped out onto the street in front of the party’s Gulshan office to personally hear the grievances of Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) registered job seekers. The NTRCA-registered aspirants had been waiting outside the BNP chairman’s political office in Gulshan when Tarique Rahman arrived there around 3:30pm from his residence. Read more: Civic condolence over Khaleda’s passing on Friday After entering the office premises, he immediately came back out, crossed the road on foot and exchanged greetings with the demonstrators. Standing on the street, Tarique Rahman listened attentively as the job seekers outlined their demands and concerns regarding the recruitment process in non-government educational institutions. The aspirants complained of alleged secret recruitment of unregistered teachers against vacant posts, as well as a range of structural problems in the appointment process of head teachers. They said these irregularities have created widespread dissatisfaction among NTRCA-registered candidates. Read more: BNP seeks candidates’ names, symbols on postal ballots

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan on Wednesday (January 14, 2026) expressed concerns that the Election Commission’s indifference and the silence of election officials are hindering the creation of a fair electoral environment. “Even the heads of major political parties are making remarks and displaying banners that are clearly a violation of the electoral code of conduct. We hope the Election Commission and election officials will apply the law equally, just as they are strict with ordinary candidates,” he said. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s election office in Gulshan in the evening, the BNP leader said their party has already informed the Election Commission about violations of the election code of conduct and the election atmosphere. “The Commission’s indifference and the silence of election officials are creating obstacles to a fair electoral environment. We think this is inappropriate and we hope they will change this behaviour,” he said. Read more: Prof Yunus orders strict measures to prevent possible election fraud Nazrul, who heads BNP’s election steering committee, said they want the election to be held on 12 February as scheduled and with the participation of all political parties.  “Unfortunately, that is not happening.” He said BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman postponed his planned tour of northern districts to avoid any misunderstanding and to help maintain an electoral environment. “When we are taking such steps to help maintain a peaceful environment, we expect others to follow the electoral code of conduct as well.” The BNP leader urged all political parties to refrain from activities that could undermine the electoral atmosphere, saying BNP wants a peaceful and acceptable election for all. He said BNP played the main role in restoring multi-party democracy in the past, ending military rule, establishing the parliamentary system, and forcing the withdrawal of the state of emergency during the 1/11 period. “This time too, we want to work with everyone to ensure a peaceful and inclusive election.” Nazrul said BNP wants to reassure the people that those who could not vote for many years will be able to cast their ballots peacefully and without fear. “We want them to exercise their fundamental right with confidence. For this, we are doing our party.” He reiterated BNP’s demand for a level playing field to ensure proper election atmospher.  The BNP leader said the Election Commission issued show-cause notices against several BNP candidates for minor violations, including a candidate’s daughter who posted a social media message saying “vote for the sheaf of paddy”. “We accept these actions if the same rules apply to everyone.” He alleged that influential leaders of other parties were openly campaigning in front of election officials without facing any action. Nazrul also noted that Tarique  postponed a private visit to northern districts after the Election Commission raised concerns, despite the visit not being political in nature and involving no speeches or rallies. He raised concerns about postal ballots, saying the ballot paper design placed three party symbols at the top and BNP’s symbol on a folded section at the bottom, which he termed “intentional, unfair and unethical.” Nazrul demanded immediate correction and said the ballots could be reprinted if necessary as there was still enough time. He also referred to viral videos showing postal ballot papers being handled in private residences abroad, including in Bahrain and Oman. The BNP leader said such activities violated electoral norms and secrecy. “Ballot papers are confidential. No one except the voter should see them. But we saw piles of ballots being handled on a table. This is illegal and deeply worrying.” Nazrul said they asked the Election Commission to take action, and the Commission informed them that the Bangladesh embassy confirmed at least one such incident. “If two incidents surfaced, there could be more in other countries.” Next govt should implement Labour Manifesto: Nazrul Islam He warned that the credibility of postal voting would be questioned if such activities continued. “We want a fair election and we want people to trust it. The next government must not face allegations of manipulating the vote.” Nazrul demanded punishment for those involved in such irregularities, saying this would deter others. “If this is not addressed and similar reports come from elsewhere, the use of postal ballots itself will come under question.”