BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman addresses his first public election rally at the Sylhet Government Alia Madrasah ground on Thursday. Photo: Collected

SYLHET, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today sought votes for his party's election symbol 'Sheaf of Paddy' (Dhaner Shish) in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary polls slated for February 12.

He also called for vigilance against conspiracies of vote robbery on the polling day.

He said, "On the February 12, while asking for votes for the Sheaf of Paddy, I want to say one thing, Inshallah, when the BNP forms the government in the coming days, we will, Inshallah, run the country on the basis of the Prophet's (PBUH) justice."

Tarique Rahman made the remarks while addressing the first public election rally at Sylhet Government Alia Madrasah ground this afternoon. 

He said, "Those who fled this country are conspiring from abroad... You saw how they robbed your votes before, and exactly the same conspiracy has started again... have you seen? You have to be alert against that conspiracy."

"In the same way, a sinister quarter has started conspiring against the rights we have achieved at the cost of the lives of thousands, including Ilias Ali and Didar Hossain Junayed. In the July Uprising, 13 people in this Sylhet city gave their lives... A sinister quarter has already started conspiring against the path of achieving rights for which we have sacrificed these lives," added Tarique Rahman. 

Urging to maintain unity, he further said, "Their conspiracy hasn't stopped inside the country either. On August 5, 2024, the people of Bangladesh proved that if the people of Bangladesh are united, they can indeed resist any conspiracy."

Tarique Rahman took the stage at Alia Madrasa at 12:28 PM. He spoke for 23 minutes. His speech covered the oppression and lawsuits against leaders and activists during the 16-year fascist rule, the enforced disappearance of Sylhet's son M. Ilias Ali, the country's fragile economy, looting, state structure transformation, family card, farmers card, health card, canal excavation, employment for the unemployed, and future plans.

Tarique Rahman said, "We have freed the country from autocracy. We have started the journey to establish democracy. That journey has not yet begun. On February 12, by electing the Sheaf of Paddy, that journey of democracy will begin."

The rally was presided over by District BNP President Khasru Chowdhury and conducted by Acting Mohanagar President Rezaul Hasan Qais Lodi. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and leaders from Sylhet and Sunamganj also spoke at the gathering.