Staff Correspondent:
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has urged the countrymen to vote for the paddy sheaf symbol to make the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) victorious in the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections.
He said, “We have fulfilled half of ‘Take Back Bangladesh’, freed the dictatorship. This time, the journey of democracy in a country free from dictatorship will begin by making the paddy sheaf victorious. So, make the paddy sheaf victorious on February 12.”
He said these things while speaking as the chief guest at the BNP election rally organized at Alia Madrasa Ground in Sylhet city on Thursday (January 22, 2026) afternoon.
Seeking votes in favor of the paddy sheaf, Tarique Rahman said that if the BNP comes to power with the support of the people, the country will be governed with justice by following the ideals of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Expressing concern over postal ballots, he said, “In the recent past, incidents of postal ballot theft sent to various countries, including the Middle East, have come up in newspapers and social media. Those who once robbed votes in the country have started the same conspiracy sitting abroad.”
Calling for vigilance against conspiracies, the BNP chairman said, “Everyone must be vigilant to protect the voting rights that we have acquired at the cost of the lives of thousands of people, including Ilyas Ali, Didar, Junaid.”
He also said, “Today, at the cost of many sacrifices, we are moving towards establishing democracy. But a sinister group has once again engaged in conspiracy at home and abroad.”
Recalling Sylhet’s contribution to the 24th mass movement, Tarique Rahman said, “Thirteen people gave their lives in Sylhet. It is because of their sacrifice that we have moved forward on the path of realizing our rights. But a group is conspiring against that achievement. However, on August 5, the people of Bangladesh proved that it is possible to thwart all conspiracies if we unite.”
Terming the promise of giving ‘tickets to heaven’ in the election campaign as shirk, he said, “Only Allah is the owner of heaven and hell. No party or individual has the power to give such tickets. Those who are saying these things are deceiving the people.”
Referring to the 1971 Liberation War, he said, “The nation has seen those who had controversial roles at that time. Today, we have to unite again against lies and arrogance.”
Alleging that people’s political and voting rights have been taken away in the past 16 years, Tarique Rahman said, “Dummy and late-night elections have been held during this time, freedom of speech has been taken away. The country was mortgaged to other countries. That’s why we said – not Delhi, not Pindi, Bangladesh first.”
Promising economic liberation for the people if BNP comes to power, he said, “We want to make educated mothers and sisters self-reliant, we want to introduce farmer cards, we want to support every family through family cards. Unemployment will be eliminated and employment will be created.”
Referring to the contribution of expatriates in Sylhet, the BNP chairman said, “Expatriates have kept the country’s economy running by sending remittances. We want to develop them into more skilled workers, so that Bangladesh’s labor force can take a stronger position in the global market.”
