Tarique Rahman Shows His Charisma

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has shown his political charisma through securing a landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election that has paved the way for the much-expected restoration of democracy in the country after around a decade and a half.
This charismatic politician has been at the forefront of the anti-fascist movement for about 16 years. He led a mass uprising in July and August of 2024, ran in a difficult parliamentary election on 12 February 2026, and won the election by overcoming all obstacles, bringing the party back to power after almost 18 years.
Tarique Rahman has always said that democracy is not just about coming to power but about giving back the lost voting rights of the people. He termed this movement as ‘Bangladesh versus fascism’. In his first press conference after winning the election, he made it clear that establishing people’s rule would be the main goal of his government.
He has already demonstrated his leadership capability by successfully running the BNP while living in London for nearly seven years since 2018. Despite operating from abroad, he kept the party united and intact and played a key role in mobilising it during the 2024 mass uprising that ultimately led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. He led the July mass uprising, staying abroad, giving necessary instructions, applying political strategy and utilising his wisdom to turn the public grievance against the fascism into a mass uprising.
As a visionary leader, Tarique Rahman is the first – and so far, the only – political leader to present a comprehensive state reform agenda, widely known as the 31-point state reform formula that was announced in 2023, aimed at repairing state institutions and guiding Bangladesh towards progress, peace and stability.
Since 5 August 2024, the BNP chief has consistently cooperated with the interim government to ensure a peaceful democratic transition. His statements and political actions during this period have reflected positivity, wisdom, dedication, democratic values and deep patriotism.
His ability to draw people in has evoked comparisons with the Pied Piper of Hamelin, as supporters follow him with remarkable enthusiasm, inspired by his words and actions. That emotional surge was most visible on 25 December 2025, the day he returned from London after nearly 18 years in exile. Millions of people from across the country converged on Dhaka, lining the streets and gathering along the Purbachal Motorway, the designated reception venue.
On the day of his historic homecoming, he in person exposed his charismatic capacity and wisdom through announcing that he has a plan to rebuild the country for the welfare of the people and the country. Referring to American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, he said, “You have heard the name of Martin Luther King. He said, ‘I have a dream.’ Standing before all of you today, I want to say, ‘I have a plan -- for the people of my country.’”
Later, he faced the most shocking incident of his life ever, losing his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. But he turns the shock into strength and moves forward to give people a peaceful, prosperous, democratic Bangladesh. At the same time, he took on the responsibility of the party chairman on 9 January 2026 before starting his electioneering to contest in the 13th parliamentary election.
The election campaign ended on the morning of 10 February. During the scheduled election campaign period, Tarique Rahman held at least 64 public meetings across the country, campaigning with his family. Usually, it happens in the political programmes that the leader gives a message and supporters clap and chant slogans. Instead of this familiar custom, Tarique Rahman has brought the surprise of talking to the people in election rallies through applying communicative methods. This was a relatively new and surprising strategy in Bangladesh’s electoral politics. It has given the public meeting a bit of a conversational tone from the traditional ‘one-sided speech’. The message has gone out to the voters that the party’s main leader is not just talking alone. He is also listening to everyone.
He has overcome the election challenges through his political wisdom, patriotism and positive attitude towards the opponents. “I am your man" – delivering this message to voters, especially the youth, was the crux of his campaign. This is how he has also built a narrative against his rivals. With the charismatic power of Tarique Rahman, BNP this time, in the election, recorded significant gains in vote share and seats compared to 1991, as the party has secured nearly 50 per cent of the vote, which has crossed all the previous records of votes for the party in the national elections. Tarique Rahman is going to be the Prime Minister for the first time after just around a month of becoming the party chief.
Now Tarique Rahman stands fully prepared to lead the nation as the head of the state. He possesses all the capacities and qualities, including political wisdom, diplomatic knowledge, patriotism and leadership qualities, needed to run the country and his party. His leadership represents a fusion of lived experience and learned expertise. He is not only the political successor of the Zia family but also a modern statesman with a vision for the future.
He is the chief of the nationalist force that embodies modern, progressive thought and practices liberal democracy in his politics for the welfare of the state and its people. He is poised to fulfil the unfinished dreams of his father and founder of the BNP, martyred President Ziaur Rahman, and his mother, former Prime Minister and chairperson of the party Begum Khaleda Zia, the uncompromising leader of democracy in Bangladesh. He is ready to propel the country into the ranks of the developed world, protecting the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh and upholding its dignity in the global arena.
Tarique Rahman’s return is not just assuming power by a political party but is seen as a victory for the democratic aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. If Tarique Rahman can implement his promised 31-point reforms, Bangladesh will become a truly democratic state, where power will not be in the hands of a single individual but will reflect the will of the people.
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The writer is a Deputy Editor of 
Daily Sun