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Voter Turnout Likely to Exceed 55pc

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  Voter Turnout Likely to Exceed 55pc, Says Touhid Hossain Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has expressed optimism that voter turnout in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, scheduled for 12 February, will exceed 55 percent. He made the remarks on Sunday while responding to journalists’ questions at the closing session of an election-focused training workshop in Dhaka. The two-day programme was organised for members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association Bangladesh (DCAB) with support from the Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI). Asked whether the government could hold the election smoothly amid reports that Awami League leaders based in India were campaigning for a ‘No’ vote in the referendum, Touhid Hossain said many were advocating ‘No’ without fully understanding the issue. He reiterated that the government wants the ‘Yes’ vote to succeed. He said the government has spent more than a year preparing reform proposals through various commissions and i...
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‘I Have a Plan’: Tarique Rahman

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‘I Have a Plan’: Tarique Rahman

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived at the public reception venue in Purbachal on Sunday afternoon, travelling from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in a red-and-green decorated bus.

At around 3:51pm, he reached the venue and took the stage shortly afterward. He began his speech at 3:57pm, opening with the words, “Dear Bangladesh.” BNP leaders accompanied him on stage, and he greeted party leaders and activists by waving to them.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir formally welcomed Tarique Rahman to the stage.

Addressing the gathering, Tarique Rahman said, “Respected elders present here, national leaders, dear brothers and sisters, and through the media, my dear brothers, sisters, mothers and sisters across Bangladesh—assalamu alaikum. First of all, today I want to offer countless thanks to Rabbul Alamin (Allah). By His infinite mercy, and through your prayers, I have been able to return to my beloved motherland and stand among you once again.”

In his speech, Tarique Rahman said that just as the people of Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971, citizens from all walks of life came together in 2024 to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty. He said the people now want to regain their right to speak freely and reclaim their democratic rights.

He recalled key moments in the country’s political history, including the Liberation War of 1971, the sepoy–people’s uprising of 7 November 1975, and the mass uprising against autocracy in 1990. Referring to recent events, he said that on 5 August 2024, students and people from all sections of society—farmers, workers, women and men, homemakers, madrasa students and others—regardless of party affiliation, united to safeguard the nation’s independence and sovereignty.

Tarique Rahman said the time has now come for everyone to work together to build the country.

“Bangladesh is home to people of the hills and the plains. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and people of all faiths live here. Together, we want to build the Bangladesh of our dreams—the Bangladesh a mother dreams of—a safe Bangladesh,” he said.

Remembering martyr Osman Hadi, Tarique Rahman said Hadi had dreamed of ensuring economic rights for the people. To honour the sacrifices of those martyred in 1971 and 2024, he said, the nation must be rebuilt according to those aspirations.

He emphasised that the young generation will lead the future of the country and called for building Bangladesh on a democratic foundation with a strong economic base. During his speech, he repeated three times, “We want peace in the country.”

Referring to Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech “I Have a Dream,” Tarique Rahman said, “I have a plan.” He said he has concrete plans to build the country but stressed that cooperation from every individual is essential to implement them.

He also sought prayers for the recovery of his mother, BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Concluding his speech, Tarique Rahman said, “Together we will work, together we will build our Bangladesh,” and expressed gratitude to all those present.

Among those on stage were BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed (Bir Bikram), and AZM Zahid Hossain.

Leaders of allied political parties and joint movement partners were also present, including Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque; Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho; Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki; JSD Senior Vice President Tania Rob; Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque; NDM Chairman Bobby Hajjaj; NPP Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad; former Dhaka University professor Nurul Amin Bepari; and others.

After concluding his speech, Tarique Rahman left the venue for Evercare Hospital, boarding the bus shortly before 4:30pm. BNP later announced the formal conclusion of the rally.


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