News Flash
By Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
DHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - In the sky of Bangladesh's contemporary politics, for a long eighteen years, there had been a void, a cry of anguish, and the echo of sighs. Now those have emerged as a beacon of immense expectation. The Acting Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Mr. Tarique Rahman, who for nearly two decades was kept confined within the web of vindictive politics and conspiratorial false cases, is returning to his beloved motherland in a heroic guise on 25 December. This long life in exile was not merely his personal struggle; rather, it was a prolonged and thorny fight to restore Bangladesh's plundered democracy and to bring back the people's right to vote.
By imprisoning Deshanetri Begum Khaleda Zia and geographically pushing Tarique Rahman away, the past fascist government actually wanted to uproot the nationalist spirit of this country from its very roots. But the inexorable rule of history is that even if truth and justice can be suppressed temporarily, in the end they emerge as victors.
During this long absence of Tarique Rahman, the country's political landscape was extremely hostile and shrouded in darkness. In the lust for power, repeated attempts were made by state machinery to derail many leaders and activists of the party under unprecedented fear and intimidation. Multifaceted conspiracies were hatched to split BNP, and at every level, efforts were made with state patronage to create divisions. But even in those worst of times, the fact that the party's unity remained intact and no major crack appeared is solely due to the worthy, prudent, and patient leadership of Mr. Tarique Rahman. He not only maintained internal discipline within his own party, but also built a unique bridge of unity among other democracy-seeking political parties of the country. In Bangladesh's political history, it is a rare incident that even while remaining outside the country for a long time, a leader could keep a vast political alliance fixed on a common goal merely through video conferences and organizational communication. He became an invisible yet powerful thread of the anti-fascist movement, which stitched together people of all opinions on the same platform.
Defying geographical distance, through his organizational wisdom, Tarique Rahman maintained direct connections from the party's central committee down to the marginal grassroots workers. By ensuring the highest use of modern technology, he monitored the state of the organization in every union, every village, and kept the morale of leaders and activists high. Although fascist forces kept him away from the soil of the country, they could not separate him from the heartbeat of the people. Rather, day by day he has become a refuge for the oppressed masses. He suppressed with a very firm hand all conspiracies to fragment BNP, which proves his organizational maturity. His leadership not only saved BNP, but also provided a backbone to the country's overall pro-democracy forces.
Today, the country, after passing through an extreme critical period, is dreaming of a free, fair, and neutral election. After a long time, when Bangladesh has begun to breathe again, free from the grip of autocracy, at such a juncture the homecoming of Tarique Rahman has infused a new hope for life in the hearts of the common people. He is not returning merely as the leader of a large political party; rather, he is returning with a complete blueprint for a new and modern Bangladesh. His historic "31 Points" have today turned into a people's charter across the country. Through these 31 points, he has presented before the people of the country the design of such a state where there will be a balance of power, the independence of the judiciary will be ensured, and citizens' rights will be unquestionable.
This vision is not merely BNP's election manifesto; rather, it is a revolutionary plan for state reform. The dream of social justice, economic prosperity, and sustainable development that Tarique Rahman has shown has created enthusiasm among everyone-from the young generation of the country to experienced politicians.
Today, people at all levels deeply believe that in the post-election period, in forming the government and running the country, Tarique Rahman's talent, foresight, and modern outlook will play a groundbreaking role. During his long 18 years in exile, he has closely observed the systems of governance and development of different countries of the world, which has shaped him into a world-class statesman. The people of the country today think that under his leadership, Bangladesh will not only become economically prosperous, but also attain a unique stature in the international arena. From the fight in the electoral field to every step of state reform, his presence today is indispensable.
The homecoming of Tarique Rahman will bring a positive change and a fresh breeze to the country's political culture. In contrast to the politics of division and vengeance that has gone on for a long time, he is showing the path of inclusive and reconciliatory politics. That hope today has turned into the heartfelt demand of millions of people. In every corner of the country, from tea stalls to drawing rooms, today there is only one discussion - Tarique Rahman is returning. This return means the end of darkness; this return means the establishment of justice. Bearing this sky-high expectation of the common people, Tarique Rahman today has taken his seat as a national leader of Bangladesh.
This return home of Tarique Rahman is not merely the return of an individual; rather, it is the resurgence of Bangladesh's plundered map. After a long wait, his footsteps have brought a tide of new life among leaders and activists, and likewise have brought a deep sense of relief among the common people. Because the people of Bangladesh today have clearly understood that only under the leadership of Tarique Rahman is it possible to snatch a massive victory in the upcoming election, and that in pursuit of his dream, the country will move forward toward a prosperous, discrimination-free, and democratic future. His homecoming is not merely the demand of time; rather, it is the auspicious beginning of a historic sunrise of a new Bangladesh. The Bangladesh that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had dreamed of, and for the realization of which Begum Khaleda Zia has struggled all her life-today this return of Tarique Rahman is to fulfill that very dream.
[Author is Secretary General of Bangladesh Nationalist Party]
