The BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has stated that, if they receive public support, his party would like to work with all democratic political parties to reconstruct the nation.

Tarique made the claim during a virtual speech at a public gathering on Monday that was sponsored by the BNP’s Kishoreganj district unit.

“We had to fight and make sacrifices for 17 years in order to overthrow the despotic dictatorship. Throughout this protracted conflict, thousands of individuals have lost their lives. Together with all the political parties that supported this movement, we want to restore the nation,” Tarique remarked.

Reflecting on the martyrs of the July-August uprising, he added: “You fought for your rights, and more than a thousand people were martyred during those months. The dictatorship tried to suppress our demands, but the people of Bangladesh did not accept it. They sacrificed their lives for the future of this nation, and we must honor their expectations by working towards building an economically independent Bangladesh.”

Speaking on the ongoing conspiracies against Bangladesh, saying: “The dictatorial regime may have fallen, but its remnants still haunt us. This government, built on the sacrifices of millions, cannot allow those sacrifices to be in vain. The conspiracy of dictatorship will not succeed.”

Calling for the establishment of a government that is truly accountable to the people, he said: “A people’s government must be established through elections. Only then will the government be accountable to the citizens. For the development of the country, we need a government chosen by the people, and this right must be ensured through fair elections. When the people of Bangladesh regain their voting rights, our struggle will be fulfilled.”

If the BNP comes to power, Tarique pledged to introduce a “family card” for every household.

He said: “We will go from village to city, providing each family with a card registered under the name of the family’s mother or housewife. This initiative will help eradicate hunger in rural areas if sustained over several years.”

Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, echoed Tarique’s sentiments during his speech as a special guest.

“The dictatorial government has fallen, and now it’s time to establish a government of the people through elections. Democracy will return to this country through the BNP, Khaleda Zia, and Tarique Rahman,” he said.

He emphasized that the culmination of their long movement was the July-August Revolution, noting that thousands of party leaders and activists had been martyred over the past 17 years.

“Many have gone missing, and justice must be served for all those who were murdered by tyrannical regimes,” Nazrul added.

The event was presided over by District BNP President Shariful Alam, with other notable speakers including BNP Chairperson’s Advisor Fazlur Rahman and Joint Secretary General Imran Sahel Prince.