‘I have a plan’

After 17 years in exile, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday to a historic, massive public reception, declaring a bold plan to build a prosperous, democratic, and safer nation, and urging all citizens to join him in shaping the country’s future.

Addressing a massive, jubilant crowd at the July 36 Expressway – widely known as the 300 Feet Road – in the capital, Tarique Rahman said the destiny of the country could only be changed through collective effort, patience and unity, stressing that his political vision would remain incomplete without the cooperation of the people.

“I have a plan for the people of my country and for the country,” he told hundreds of thousands of supporters who had gathered to welcome him on what he described as a historic homecoming.

Referring to the iconic words of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, Tarique Rahman invoked a familiar refrain to underline his own political message.

“Martin Luther King – have you heard the name? Martin Luther King has a famous dialogue: ‘I have a dream.’ Today, standing on the soil of Bangladesh, before all of you, I want to say this:

I have a plan for the people of my country and for my country,” he said.

Notably, Tarique Rahman’s address coincided symbolically with King’s famous speech, with both speeches lasting around 17 minutes.

Arrival after 17 years

A regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, their only daughter Zaima Rahman, her pet cat Jebu, and other family members and officials landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:44am on Thursday.

At the airport, senior BNP leaders and party officials welcomed the BNP acting chairman. Those present included Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hassan Mahmud Tuku, Selima Rahman and Salahuddin Ahmed, as well as Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed and members of Tarique Rahman’s family.

From the airport, Tarique Rahman proceeded towards the public reception venue, eventually taking the stage amid thunderous applause and chants from party leaders, activists and supporters. Standing before the sea of people, he waved repeatedly, exchanging greetings with the crowd that had gathered in their tens of thousands.

Call for cooperation

In his address, Tarique Rahman repeatedly emphasised that implementing his vision for Bangladesh would require the cooperation of every citizen.

“I need the cooperation of every person. If you are by our side, if you support us, we will be able to implement the plan I have,” he said.

“If that plan, that course of action, that vision is to be implemented, dear brothers and sisters, from this sea of people present here today, and from all those across Bangladesh who represent the strength of democracy, I will need the cooperation of every single person. Every single person’s cooperation is needed.”

Invoking faith, he urged the audience to seek divine guidance and mercy.

“Let us raise our hands in the court of Allah, and pray that You, the only giver of mercy, grant us Your mercy today. O the only helper, if You show us mercy today, then we, the people of this country, will be able to build our desired Bangladesh by working hard,” he said.

He added that with Allah’s mercy and help, the people of Bangladesh would be able to realise their long-cherished aspirations.

Gratitude and promise

Beginning his speech with the address “Dear Bangladesh”, Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to Allah, saying that through His endless mercy and the prayers of the people, he had been able to return to his beloved homeland.

“Today, let us all promise together that those who will come to be responsible for running the country in the future will try their best to govern in the light of the justice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him),” he said.

After concluding his 15-minute speech, Tarique Rahman waved again to the crowd and briefly returned to the microphone to reiterate his commitment to implementing his plan for the people and the country.

Message to the youth

Addressing the younger generation, the BNP acting chairman warned that spies of various hegemonic powers were still engaged in conspiracies against the country, urging patience and vigilance.

He said the responsibility of rebuilding the nation would soon rest on the shoulders of the youth.

“The members of the younger generation will lead the country in the coming days and rebuild it. They must accept this responsibility today, so that we can build this country beautifully – on a solid democratic foundation and on a strong economic foundation,” he said.

Tribute to Khaleda Zia

Tarique Rahman said he would next visit his ailing mother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital.

“Everyone knows what happened to her. As a child, I would like to ask you today to pray to Allah so that He grants her the strength to recover,” he said.

“As a child, my heart is in that hospital room. But the people for whom she sacrificed her life – you – cannot be abandoned in any way. That is why, before going to the hospital, I am here before you to express my gratitude, including to those watching me on television across Bangladesh.”

He once again thanked the people for their prayers and for welcoming him home.

Inclusive vision for Bangladesh

Highlighting the country’s demographic realities, Tarique Rahman noted that women make up half of Bangladesh’s population, over 40 million people belong to the younger generation, around 50 million are children, approximately 40 million are persons with disabilities, and several million are farmers and workers.

“These people have expectations from the state. If we unite and commit ourselves today, we can fulfil the expectations of these millions. In 1971, martyrs sacrificed their lives to build such a Bangladesh,” he said.

He said the people of Bangladesh wanted to reclaim their right to speak freely, their democratic rights and the justice they deserved.

Calling for unity across religious and ethnic lines, Tarique Rahman said the country belonged equally to people of the hills and plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians.

“We want to build a Bangladesh together – the Bangladesh that a mother dreams of. We want to build a safe Bangladesh, where women, men and children can leave their homes safely and return safely,” he said.

He urged people of all religions, classes and political affiliations to maintain peace and order at any cost.

“We must abandon chaos at any cost. Let us pledge today, let us work together and build our Bangladesh,” he said, calling for patience and harmony.

Remembering past sacrifices

Tarique Rahman recalled that over the past 15 years, hundreds of people who opposed dictatorship had been subjected to enforced disappearances and killings.

“Not only political activists but innocent people were tortured during protests. They sacrificed their lives. We saw in 2024 how many youths laid down their lives to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country,” he said.

Referring to the recent killing of Inqilab Moncho Spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, a participant in the 2024 mass uprising, he said, “Osman Hadi was martyred.”

He said Hadi had wanted democracy and the democratic and economic rights of the people to be restored.

“If we are to repay the blood debt of those martyred in 2024, of Osman Hadi, of those martyred in 1971, and of those murdered or disappeared during the dictatorship, then let us build the Bangladesh we hope for – together,” he said.

Historical references

Tarique Rahman said the country was won in 1971 through the blood of millions of martyrs and saved again on 7 November 1975 through the revolution of sepoys and the masses.

“Similarly, the people snatched their democratic rights from an autocrat in the 1990s. Yet conspiracies never stopped,” he said.

He added that on 5 August 2024, students and people from all walks of life – farmers, workers, women, men and madrasa students, regardless of political affiliation – came together to defend the country’s independence and sovereignty.

Calling on national leaders present on and off the stage, he urged them to lead the country in line with the people’s expectations.

“We must maintain peace and order at any cost. We must remain calm in the face of provocation. We want peace in the country,” he said repeatedly.

Tarique skips ‘royal’ chair, opts for a plastic one

The BNP acting chairman drew attention at the massive public reception on the July 36 Expressway, when he chose not to sit on the specially decorated chair reserved for him on the stage, preferring instead an ordinary plastic chair.

The reception had a royal golden chair prepared for Tarique Rahman, complete with foam padding and draped in white satin for comfort. However, the BNP leader requested that an ordinary chair be brought from nearby instead.

A member of the Chairperson’s Security Force (CSF) promptly arranged brought in a plastic for him.

Call to chief adviser

After arriving at the airport, Tarique Rahman phoned Chief Adviser of the interim government Prof Muhammad Yunus. Around 1pm, a video of the conversation was shared on his verified Facebook page.

In the video, Tarique Rahman is seen enquiring about Prof Yunus’s wellbeing.

“I thank you on behalf of myself and my family, especially for the measures taken for my security,” he said during the call, before seeking doa and ending the conversation with salam.

Journey to reception venue

It took more than three hours for Tarique Rahman to reach the public reception venue in Purbachal from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, as his motorcade pushed through a crowd numbering several lakhs.

The motorcade left the airport at 12:41pm and approached the venue at around 3:40pm.

He travelled from the airport to the reception venue, and later to the hospital and his Gulshan residence, in a red-and-green bus bearing the slogan “Bangladesh First”. Seated at the front, he waved continuously to supporters lining the roads.

The atmosphere along the route was euphoric, with slogans echoing throughout the area.

Leaders of several other political parties were also present on the stage, including Saiful Huq of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, Andaleeve Rahman Partho of Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Jonayed Saki of Ganasanghati Andolan, Tania Rob of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Nurul Haque Nur of Gana Adhikar Parishad, Bobby Hajjaj of National Democratic Movement and Fariduzzaman Farhad of National People’s Party.

At Khaleda Zia’s bedside

After concluding his speech at the 300-feet road area, Tarique Rahman reached Evercare Hospital around 6pm to visit his mother, who is currently in intensive care.

His wife Zubaida Rahman, daughter Zaima Rahman, members of Khaleda Zia’s medical board including Professor Dr Shahabuddin Talukder, and BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain were present.

After spending some time at the hospital, Tarique Rahman returned to his residence at house number 196 on Gulshan Avenue, which has been newly prepared for his stay. Khaleda Zia’s residence, “Firoza”, is located next to the property.

Outside the hospital, party activists chanted slogans hailing Tarique Rahman’s return.

Upcoming programme

According to the schedule, Tarique Rahman will visit the grave of his father, martyred president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after Jumma prayers on Friday, before paying homage to the martyrs at the National Mausoleum in Savar.

On Saturday, he will visit the grave of Sharif Osman Hadi and meet those injured in the July mass uprising at NITOR. He is scheduled to register as a voter with the Election Commission on Sunday.

Tarique Rahman has lived in London with his wife and daughter since 2008 after securing political asylum. He was arrested on March 7, 2007 during the 1/11 caretaker government, released on bail in September 2008, and subsequently travelled to the UK for medical treatment.