Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman, has cautioned that the coming months will be difficult, urging party officials and supporters to stay united in the face of ongoing political difficulties in Bangladesh.
Tarique Rahman made the statements on Tuesday at a talk hosted by the BNP’s London chapter at the City Pavilion. The event was conducted on Victory Day, which commemorates Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.
Regarding the country’s political status, Tarique Rahman stated that intrigues against Bangladesh had not ended and warned that the approaching national election would not be simple.
“The future will not be easy. Everyone must remain alert and united,” he told a group of expatriate Bangladeshis.
He stated that he had delivered similar warnings a year ago and that subsequent developments demonstrated that those worries were now becoming apparent. He consistently emphasised the importance of unity in political achievement and national restoration efforts.
Tarique Rahman stated that only unity would allow for the restoration of accountability and the implementation of plans to reconstruct Bangladesh. Drawing a comparison to the United Kingdom, he stated that inhabitants there benefit from a strong system of accountability, whereas people in Bangladesh have long been denied their rights.
“There is no alternative to togetherness. ‘United we stand; divided we fall,” he stated.
Return after a long exile
Tarique Rahman has lived in London since 2008, after being detained a year prior during an army-backed caretaker government. After becoming extremely ill while in detention, he flew to the United Kingdom on bail for advanced medical care, accompanied by his wife, Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Zaima Rahman.
He is now set to return to Bangladesh on December 25, bringing an end to his nearly 18-year exile.
The London programme also acted as a goodbye function prior to his return and anticipated leadership position in directing the BNP into the 13th legislative election, which is set for February 12th, 2026.
Tarique Rahman began his remarks by thanking expatriate supporters for their years of support and asking for prayers for himself and former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
“With your prayers and Allah’s mercy, I will return home on 25 December,” he informed us.
Appeal to the supporters
Tarique Rahman specifically asked supporters not to congregate at London’s Heathrow Airport on the day of his homecoming, warning that big crowds could disrupt and harm both the country’s image and the party’s reputation.
“If people gather at the airport, it will create chaos and attract unnecessary attention,” he warned, adding that individuals who rejected the request would be acting for personal reasons.
Election prospects and policy plans
Tarique Rahman outlined his party’s political goal, stating that the BNP aspired to create a welfare-orientated, “happy” Bangladesh.
He emphasised suggestions such as family cards, farmer cards, and health cards, as well as measures to combat unemployment. He portrayed the next election as a significant opportunity for transformation, not a political experiment.
He urged expatriate Bangladeshis to participate in the democratic process, saying that making the proper political decision was critical to moving the country forward.
Tarique Rahman expressed confidence that the BNP could establish the next administration with public support but warned that discipline and hard work would be required to effect political reform.
The programme finished with short film presentations that traced Bangladesh’s history from the 1971 Liberation War to recent student-led initiatives, presenting a vision for a new Bangladesh.
Tarique Rahman's speech at the UK BNP discussion gathering on Victory Day live from City Pavilion, London, 16 December 2025 (UK time), Tuesday-
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