Photo: BSS

TANGAIL, Dec 12, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Central Publicity Secretary and Tangail Sadar-5 candidate Sultan Salahuddin Tuku today said the people of Bangladesh are becoming increasingly hopeful of witnessing a free and neutral national election on February 12.

"Yesterday, the schedule for the upcoming national polls was announced. We welcome this announcement. The people of the country have now begun to breathe the air of democracy," he said.

Tuku made the remarks while addressing a discussion and doa-mahfil at the Darbar Hall in Santosh of the district, held to mark the 145th birth anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani. 

The programme was organised by the Maulana Bhasani Foundation.

Tuku said voters had been deprived of their franchise in the national elections of 2014, 2018 and 2024, alleging that ballots were cast secretly the night before polling day.

He said more than 3.8 crore young voters were unable to exercise their voting rights in previous elections. "This time, they want to cast their votes to elect a people-friendly government. This country belongs to all of us, and together we must build it," he added.

Recalling Maulana Bhasani's lifelong struggle, he said the veteran leader always stood by the oppressed and never compromised with injustice. He noted that Bhasani played a significant role in inspiring the independence movement. 

"From the Kagmari Conference, he planted the seeds that later culminated in the declaration of independence by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman," he said.

Chaired by Professor A K M Mohiuddin, advisor to the Maulana Bhasani Foundation, the discussion was also addressed by former district BNP member-secretary Mahmudul Haque Sanu, upazila BNP president Azgar Ali and Tangail Sadar Upazila BNP senior joint secretary Azim Uddin Biplob, among others.

Earlier, Tuku placed a wreath at the shrine of Maulana Bhasani and offered prayers seeking blessings.