BNP Standing Committee Member AZM Zahid Hossain has said that the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Bangladesh within “a few weeks” to lead the final phase of the pro-democracy movement.
Speaking to reporters at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka on Thursday after placing wreaths at the grave of former president Ziaur Rahman, Zahid Hossain remarked, “The acting chairman of the Nationalist Party, Tarique Rahman, will not only lead BNP. He is the leader of all those who were involved in the struggle to restore democracy.
Within weeks, Tarique Rahman will return to guide not just BNP’s electoral process but also the final stage of the fight to restore democracy.”
Commenting on the harassment of leaders from three political parties who accompanied the Chief Adviser during his New York visit, Zahid Hossain stated, “Awami League’s history, the history of its leaders, was never in favor of the people.
“They believe in politics of vengeance, they believe in ruling over people with force. They think of the country as their ancestral property. But one thing must be remembered – ultimately the people know how to resist them, how to reject them.”
Zahid noted that BNP activists have already been reaching households nationwide with Tarique Rahman’s 31-point agenda, saying, “We began this work 18 months ago in preparation for the elections, and it is ongoing.”
On the issue of party nominations, he added, “The number of nomination seekers in BNP is ten times greater than the available seats. Therefore, surveys will be conducted by local units, district committees, and the party itself. Ultimately, only those candidates who are popular in their constituencies will be given BNP’s nomination.”
Tarique Rahman was arrested during the army-backed caretaker government in 2007–08. After being released, he traveled to London for medical treatment in 2008, where he has been living with his family ever since. He did not return to Bangladesh during the Awami League’s more than 15-year rule.
