What began with a sprint by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders near Dhaka University has now spread through different wings of BNP, reaching even a state minister.
The repeated scenes of leaders and activists racing alongside Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s car have sparked widespread discussion, ridicule and debate over what many within the party privately describe as a competition for attention.
The excitement surrounding BNP’s return to power after two decades, along with Tarique’s return to Bangladesh after 17 years abroad, still dominates the party atmosphere.
With Awami League largely absent from active politics and Jamaat-e-Islami no longer viewed as a major rival, leaders and activists are increasingly focused on gaining visibility before the party chief.
Party insiders say Tarique has tried to reduce the tight security barrier around him, allowing leaders and activists to move closer to his convoy during visits in Dhaka and elsewhere. That opportunity has triggered a visible race among party men eager to stand out.
The first major incident took place on 26 February, when the prime minister visited Bangla Academy to inaugurate Amar Ekushey Book Fair.
As the convoy passed through the Doyel Chattar area of Dhaka University, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib was seen running beside the motorcade to salute him.
The footage quickly went viral, drawing intense trolling on social media.
Rakib later defended himself in a Facebook post, claiming the vehicle was moving fast and he only ran for “five to seven seconds” to exchange greetings with fellow Chhatra Dal activists.
He admitted that “perhaps it could have been avoided” but accused the media of highlighting only “10 seconds” out of nearly three hours of activities with “negative headlines.”
But the trend did not stop there.
On 12 May, when Tarique again visited DU, Chhatra Dal General Secretary Md Abidul Islam Khan was also seen running near the convoy. The video once again spread rapidly online.
Facing criticism, Abidul later said on Facebook Live that he had been delayed by traffic congestion and was merely “running for speed”, insisting he did not run directly in front of the motorcade.
The most talked-about episode, however, came on 16 May during the PM’s visit to Chandpur.
At around 8:45am, the convoy departed from Gulshan by road. Near Kakrail intersection, Juba Dal leader Rabiul Islam Nayan was seen running in front of a protocol vehicle, saluting and shouting slogans while continuing to sprint alongside the convoy.
Later that same day, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs and Dhaka-6 MP Ishraque Hossain also drew attention after running in front of the prime minister’s bus in Tikatuli.
The incident triggered even greater discussion, with many questioning why a sitting state minister, who already has regular access to the PM, would feel the need to publicly demonstrate loyalty in such a manner.
Since then, Ishraque has remained silent publicly. Repeated calls from TIMES of Bangladesh went unanswered.
Nayan, who had regularly spoken to media before the incident, also stopped responding to calls in the days afterward.
Asked by TIMES why he ran alongside the convoy, Rakib dismissed criticism.
“This is not a run,” he said briefly. “We are always ready for sir’s safety. We want the safety of our party chairman.”
However, he did not answer questions about why Chhatra Dal activists would need to provide security when the premier is already protected by Special Security Force (SSF).
President of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal SM Jilani echoed similar sentiments.
“We are always in the field for the leader’s safety. We will remain by his side,” he said.
Senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan, meanwhile, saw nothing unusual in the scenes.
“It is normal,” he said. “If the party chairman is on the road, naturally party leaders and activists will surround him.”
But privately, some BNP policymakers admit the behaviour reflects a deeper internal competition.
One senior party leader, speaking anonymously, said leaders and activists begin competing the moment they hear the prime minister will attend a programme.
“Everything is actually a strategy to make oneself known to the prime minister and create opportunities for political advancement in the future,” he told TIMES.
Another senior leader was more critical, describing the scenes as “political madness” and “personal political greed”.
“Instead of focusing on serving people and promoting ideals, leaders are turning politics into a spectacle,” he said. “This could damage the party’s image.”
