Dhaka: With the slogan ‘Take leadership, give leadership,’ BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been instilling courage in the hearts of the party’s grassroots workers throughout the long 17 years of his life in exile. Even from thousands of miles away, through his firm and clear voice, he has awakened among the workers a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for action. Through his indomitable leadership, he has consolidated the party. He has kept leaders and activists united. He has even been preparing himself, little by little, for running the government. Finally, after passing through a long ebb and flow, at this moment he has emerged as the leader of the democracy-loving people of the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, though this standard-bearer of indomitable Bangladeshi nationalism has long lived in exile in distant United Kingdom, he is now the central driving force of BNP in party decisions, strategic planning and political guidance. From top to central, district and upazila levels, Tarique Rahman has secured a place in the hearts of leaders and activists at all tiers of the party. In his political character, party workers and supporters find a reflection of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.
Leaders and activists say that the main strength of a leader’s leadership lies in his sense of justice and mindset, in the grandeur of his ideals. Tarique Rahman is such a leader; who, even from afar, remained the closest. Tarique Rahman has provided leadership in the struggle to free the country from the disgraceful autocratic rule that swept over it for long 17 years. In post-2024 mass-uprising Bangladesh, his farsighted leadership and guidance in maintaining stability have earned universal recognition irrespective of party lines. Therefore, Tarique Rahman has become inevitable as a worthy prime minister for future Bangladesh.
As the helmsman of people’s dreams and with various innovative plans to build the nation, this leader, famed as the ‘torchbearer’ of democracy, will set foot in the country on December 25. His homecoming has created new expectations among BNP leaders, activists and supporters. They believe that Tarique Rahman’s return will reorganize the party anew after long political turmoil. At the same time, a new reality will be created in national politics. Under his leadership, democracy and civil rights will return to the country. A new chapter of political stability will begin.
Calling Tarique Rahman a ‘living history,’ BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told BSS, ‘Our leader Tarique Rahman has kept BNP well-organized and united. Even while staying abroad, he has very successfully run the party on the right path with skill. With extraordinary organizational ability, he has virtually reached grassroots leaders very quickly, as a result of which BNP did not lose its direction or break even in the face of various crises and pressures. No one even thought of leaving BNP.’
During exile in the United Kingdom, severe hardship also descended upon Tarique Rahman’s personal life. The death of his younger brother Arafat Rahman Koko shattered him mentally. At the same time, BNP Chairperson and his mother Begum Khaleda Zia faced repeated imprisonment, illness and medical crises due to political vengeance. In such circumstances, even from afar, Tarique Rahman remained firmly focused on preserving the organization. Because he knew that the fascist ruling clique wanted to politically eliminate him. Therefore, instead of bringing himself forward and creating a personality-centric movement, he built a people-centric resistance. He made it clear, ‘Which path Bangladesh will take will be decided on the streets,’ which party leaders say is proof of his patience and composed leadership.
Highlighting some qualities of Tarique Rahman’s leadership, BNP Standing Committee member Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, ‘Tarique Rahman went into exile 17 years ago. He worked even while in exile. Critics and political opponents used to point fingers and say Tarique Rahman would never succeed. Yet brushing all that aside, Tarique Rahman took leadership at a time when Begum Khaleda Zia had been sent to jail in false cases. In that difficult time, Tarique Rahman took the helm of BNP.’
The dynamic presence of this leader, hailed as the bearer of democracy in Bangladeshi nationalism, was not merely a reflection of his personal ambition. Rather, it was a political phenomenon where leadership, even in physical absence, transcended the historical stage of unfolding events. After going abroad for treatment in 2008, many thought his political life had ended. But from that distant land, he built a complete infrastructure of decentralization and self-defensive strategy within the party. He shifted party decisions from central control and spread them to the grassroots. Reorganization of the party, new strategies in programmes, strong positioning in the international arena – in everything his planning is evident.
Mentioning that Tarique Rahman created a new trend in Bangladesh politics, BNP Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan said, ‘Twenty-five years ago, when BNP was in government, I observed that Tarique Rahman did not confine politics to sitting at home; he went to the grassroots and built connections with the people. Even while staying in distant London, he has virtually connected with leaders and activists of remote regions of the country, listening to their joys and sorrows. For the last 17 years, despite various political crises, he has kept leaders and activists united.’
Party’s Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas said, ‘During Sheikh Hasina’s fascist rule, BNP suffered ruthless injustice and oppression. Out of vengeance, countless cases were filed against party leaders and activists; they faced jail, killings and enforced disappearances. There were even conspiracies several times to split BNP. But due to Tarique Rahman’s prudent leadership, no conspiracy succeeded. Through his actions, our leader has established himself as a national hero. He is now a source of inspiration for countless BNP leaders and activists.’
Calling Tarique Rahman an inevitable symbol of Bangladesh’s democratic movement, party’s Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, ‘Through his merit, competence, labour and leadership, Tarique Rahman has established himself at the highest leadership of Bangladesh. Though he is abroad, he remains politically active. The times of conspiracy-laden one-eleven, assassination plots, repression and long London exile were not happy for him. Yet he overcame everything with patience.’
BNP Central Committee Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said, ‘It is due to the capable leadership of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman that the people of the country achieved success in the mass movement of ’24. He is extremely prudent and takes decisions with a cool head. That is why he was able to unite all political parties in one row. Trusting his farsighted and organizational skills, the people united and joined the movement to oust fascism.’
Stating that Tarique Rahman is the most acceptable leadership in Bangladesh at this moment, he said, ‘National hero Tarique Rahman will run the country in future according to the party-declared 31 points; that is what the people expect. We believe he will efficiently run the country for the welfare of the nation and the people. Under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, future Bangladesh will be of democracy and equality.’