BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman addressed a mammoth public rally in moulvibazar as part of the election campaign. Photo: BSS

MOULVIBAZAR, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today called for the restoration of democracy and the return of power to the people, leveling allegations of a decade-and-a-half-long political crisis, disenfranchisement, oppression, and money laundering. 

Addressing a mammoth public rally at Aynpur Ground in Sherpur Upazila of the district as part of the election campaign, he said, “Over the past 15-16 years, Bangladesh has witnessed a series of farcical elections in the name of so-called voting, sometimes held in the night, sometimes through vote rigging. Throughout this entire period, the people of the country have not had the genuine opportunity to vote.”

"Could you cast your vote in the last 15 years? You could not. People's right to vote was snatched away; their right to speak was taken away. Those who protested were subjected to enforced disappearances, faced false cases, and many were even killed," said Tarique Rahman.

The BNP top leader said that on August 5, 2024, the united movement of the country's students, people, laborers, and all classes and professions, regardless of gender, bid farewell to that autocracy. He referred to this day as the Victory Day of the movement to protect independence. 

“In 1971, we achieved independence, and on August 5, 2024, we protected that independence,” said Tarique Rahman.

He also alleged that over the past 15 years, the wealth and assets of the country's people have been looted and laundered abroad. Citing the example of the Moulvibazar region, he said that during that time, no medical college, modern hospital or improved road system has been developed here.

The BNP Chairman reminded everyone that between 2001 and 2006, during the BNP government's tenure, party leaders including Saifur Rahman undertook many projects for the development of this area. But after 2008, all those development activities came to a halt.

"When there is no right to vote in the country, no right to speak, then there is no one to listen to people's sorrows and sufferings," he said.

Recalling the 1971 Liberation War in his speech, Tarique Rahman said the country was liberated at the cost of the blood of millions of martyrs. After that, amidst various conspiracies, BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman took the initiative to establish democracy in the country. In 1991, the country's leader Khaleda Zia re-established parliamentary democracy, through which development occurred in various regions of the country.

He said, "Whenever the Sheaf of Paddy (Dhaner Shis) was in power, people could speak their minds, elections were held, and development took place."

Handing over the Sheaf of Paddy symbol to the candidates of four constituencies present at the rally, Tarique Rahman said that these candidates’ responsibility would be to address the issues of roads, schools, colleges, hospitals, and the sorrows and sufferings of the people in their areas.

He said, "It takes people from this region almost the same time to travel from Dhaka to Sylhet as it takes to go to London. This is the reality of development over the past 15 years."

"I always say—Take Back Bangladesh. That means bringing the country back from the autocracy that had handed it over to others. We have only crossed half of that path so far. The remaining part must be fulfilled by establishing democracy,” he added. 

Tarique Rahman emphatically stated that the owners of power in the country are the people, not any individual or group. "You are the owners of this country," he added.

The BNP Chairman said that there are millions of unemployed youth in the country. Arrangements will be made for their employment. Not only that, he also mentioned plans to provide training and language education to those who wish to go abroad, to send them as skilled manpower. "If you go with skills, your income will be higher, your standard of living will change," he said.

Tarique mentioned that the country's leader former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, once introduced free education for girls from class one to intermediate. In the coming days, if the Sheaf of Paddy comes to power, a 'Family Card' will be introduced for women, he added. 

Especially, he said tea garden female workers, day laborers, and farmers' wives will receive this card; through which food or cash assistance will be provided.

He further said that a 'Farmer Card' will be introduced for farmers, through which they will receive loan, fertilizer-seed and insurance benefits. This will strengthen the economic foundation of farmers.

Tarique Rahman said that respectable allowances and social dignity arrangements will be made for the imams, khatibs and muezzins of the country's mosques and madrasas, so that they can live with self-respect.

He alleged that a party is misleading people using National ID and mobile numbers and conspiring to make ballot papers disappear. He urged the public to remain vigilant and cautious.

He alleged that a party is using people's religious sentiments, saying that voting for them will send people to heaven. He labeled this as direct shirk (associating partners with Allah) and deception, saying, "The owner of heaven and hell is Allah alone."

To avoid such confusion and tension, he requested the interim government to triple the security of the leaders of that party, so that no unpleasant incidents occur due to public anger.

Tarique Rahman said that canals will be excavated again as before to improve agriculture and water management.

Urging people to vote for the Sheaf of Paddy in the upcoming election on the February 12, he said, “This election is the means to initiate democracy in the country and change people's destinies.”

Moulvibazar District President Naser Rahman chaired the meeting, where BNP candidates from the constituencies of Moulvibazar also addressed the gathering.

Earlier, at noon, Tarique Rahman commenced his election campaign with his first public rally at the Sylhet Alia Madrasa ground in the morning.

Following Moulvibazar, he is scheduled to address a rally at the proposed upazila ground in Shayestaganj Upazila of Habiganj.

Subsequently, Tarique Rahman will address election rallies at Kuttapara Playground in Sarail Upazila of Brahmanbaria; Bhairab Stadium in Kishoreganj District; an area adjacent to the municipal zone in Narsingdi; and in Gausia, Rupganj, Araihazar Upazila of Narayanganj District.