BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has urged the nation to remain united to ensure no one becomes an autocrat in the future.
He made the remarks at the party’s post-election press conference held at InterContinental Dhaka in the capital at around 3:45 pm on Saturday, 14 February. The event began with a welcome address by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, after which Tarique Rahman delivered his speech.
During the briefing, he discussed the election results, preparations for forming the government, prospects for coalition politics, and the party’s roadmap for the days ahead.
Dedicating the BNP’s victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election to the people, Tarique said the “true essence of freedom and rights” had been restored in Bangladesh.
“This victory belongs to the people who have sacrificed for democracy,” he said. “Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united. I firmly believe that national unity is our collective strength, while division is our weakness.”
“From today, we are all free, with the true essence of freedom and rights restored,” he added, congratulating citizens for overcoming what he described as numerous obstructions to pave the way for the establishment of democracy.
Tarique said the country is embarking on a new chapter amid significant challenges, including a fragile economy, weakened constitutional and state institutions, and a deteriorated law and order situation, which he attributed to authoritarian rule.
“With your spontaneous participation, after more than one and a half decades, a parliament and government accountable to the people through direct voting have been re-established in the country,” he said.
He warned that unity would be essential to prevent any resurgence of autocracy and to ensure the nation is not reduced to a subservient state.
According to Tarique, a total of 51 political parties took part in the election. He extended congratulations to all participating parties, regardless of the results.
“In a democratic state and political system, political parties are the true beacon of democracy,” he said, adding that if both the government and the opposition act responsibly from their respective positions, democracy will become firmly institutionalised.
He thanked the interim government and the Election Commission for holding what he described as “free, fair and impartial” elections, and urged party leaders and activists to uphold peace and order across the country at any cost.
Tarique Rahman said every pledge made ahead of the polls would be implemented in phases.
He stressed that without establishing the rule of law, all other efforts would fall short. “The law will be enforced on the basis of justice,” he said.
Calling on BNP leaders and activists nationwide to stay calm and vigilant even in the face of “hundreds of provocations” after the election, he emphasised the need for restraint.
Urging unity, he said, “Liberal democracy has won this election.”
He added that the new government is set to begin its journey amid a fragile economy and a deteriorated law and order situation inherited from what he termed a fascist regime.
He concluded by calling on all democratic parties to contribute to the nation-building process, saying their ideas and perspectives would remain important in shaping the country’s future.