BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman delivered a televised address to the nation on the eve of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and referendum of 2026. Photo: TV Screenshot

DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS)- BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has sought votes in favour of Sheaf of Paddy in the February 12 national election to build a safe and prosperous Bangladesh for all citizens irrespective of castes, creeds and faiths.
  
“BNP wants to build a safe Bangladesh where Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, believers, non-believers, or whether living in the hills or plains every citizen will remain safe,” he told a televised address to the nation this evening ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and referendum-2026.

Tarique Rahman said the norm of a modern civilized society that people of every religion will practice in their faith according to their beliefs and traditions. 

“We believe religion is personal, the state belongs to all. Ensuring peace and security for all citizens is the responsibility of the state. Religion is personal; the right to security belongs to all,” he said.

During the Liberation War of 1971, no one asked who belonged to which religion, he said adding even during the “War to protect independence in 2024”, no one asked about religious identity.

The history of the past 55 years of this country has repeatedly proven that democracy-loving people of Bangladesh do not like autocracy, nor religious extremism or militancy, he said.
Preserving our respective religious beliefs and cultures to build a safe Bangladesh was the groundbreaking political philosophy of the proclaimer of independence Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, he said.

Regardless of party opinion, religion, or ethnicity, Bangladesh belongs to all—we are all Bangladeshis,” said the BNP chairman.

He noted that there have been attempts to socially and politically attack religious beliefs and values at various times.
 
On the other hand, many eminent Islamic scholars have stated loudly that some people are trying to mislead Muslims believers by misinterpreting the religion to serve narrow partisan interests, he said.

“Therefore, we must all remain vigilant so that no one can mislead the Muslim believers,” he said.
Tarique Rahman said BNP got the opportunity to run the state many times in the past with getting people’s mandate. 

After assuming responsibility, the proclaimer of independence Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, built the country as a self-reliant Bangladesh, he mentioned. 

“As he stood for Bangladesh’s interests, he had to embrace martyrdom. My mother, the late Begum Khaleda Zia honored with the title of Deshnetri—never dishonored your respect,” he said. 

Tarique Rahman said even in the last phase of her life, she endured imprisonment and oppression, but did not compromise with Bangladesh’s interests. 

“As her son, I know she received many proposals. She could have accepted them and gone abroad to avoid imprisonment. But her heart was bound to Bangladesh. The democracy-loving people believed that even while imprisoned by tyrants, Khaleda Zia remained a cause of fear for subservient forces.

Khaleda Zia respected the people’s trust and love and stayed in the country until her last day,” he said.

In a fascism-free Bangladesh, uncompromising leader Begum Khaleda Zia, three-time prime minister and BNP chairperson, wanted to institutionalize democracy again and wanted to establish the people’s rights. 

“The moment to fulfill Khaleda Zia’s aspirations now stands before the freedom-loving democratic people of Bangladesh. February 12 is the day to establish the people’s rights,” he said.
 
Noting that Khaleda Zia could not see the people’s final victory, he said urging the people to make the Sheaf of Paddy victorious in the coming election to translate the dreams of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia and build a safe and prosperous Bangladesh for all citizens.