BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has said the people of Bangladesh now want a departure from traditional, slogan-based politics, and are demanding delivery rather than promises.
He made the remarks virtually on Tuesday at a discussion titled “Youth Expectations and BNP’s Plan for the Future Bangladesh,” held at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh–China Friendship Conference Centre in Agargaon.
The event, organised by Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal, marked International Youth Day.
Tarique pointed out, “The days of conventional slogan-driven politics are over.
“People want a change in the way politics is practised. To meet their aspirations, BNP believes in implementing promises, not merely making them.”
He urged citizens to vote for the paddy sheaf symbol in the upcoming election to “seize the opportunity to build the country together.”
Addressing the event, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that a “planned smear campaign” was being waged against the party because it is poised to form the next government.
Fakhrul added, “As our leader [Tarique Rahman] has, through his own struggle, pushed the election to February 2026, our responsibility is to ensure a free, fair and inclusive election.
“All affiliated organisations must work towards this,” he stated.
The BNP leader also accused rivals of spreading the notion that everything bad in the country is BNP’s fault to undermine the party ahead of the polls.
Recalling the BNP’s long struggle, Fakhrul noted they had fought together for 15 years, endured imprisonment, and seen Khaleda Zia detained for six years while Tarique Rahman remained in exile.
He called for unity in building a better society, warning that without such solidarity “all our struggle, effort and sacrifice will be in vain.”
He praised young people for their role in ousting “a fascist like Sheikh Hasina” and urged them to build on that foundation to move the country forward, as Ziaur Rahman had done in his three years in power.
BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku warned of conspiracies to derail the upcoming election.
“The allies of fascism are again conspiring. We must remain vigilant. We want a safe, democratic Bangladesh and a government that works for the people,” he said, welcoming the interim government’s election roadmap.
Tuku urged the government to name those attempting to sabotage the polls and explain their motives, stressing that BNP’s main objective, if elected, would be to implement Tarique Rahman’s vision, solving local problems with tolerance, patience and public participation to build a modern Bangladesh.
The event was chaired by Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna and conducted by General Secretary Nurul Islam Noyon, with leaders from BNP and its affiliated bodies present.