Published : 25 Jan 2026, 05:19 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:04 PM
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has suggested that young people address him as “Bhaiya” (brother) instead of “sir” while interacting with him during an election campaign discussion with students in Chattogram.
The remark came on Sunday morning at the “Youth Policy Talk with Tarique Rahman”, held at the Radisson Blu Bay View Hotel in the port city.
In his opening address, Tarique said Bangladesh currently enjoys a demographic advantage, with a large youth population that will remain active for the next 15 to 20 years.
“The benefit of this workforce will shape the country’s future,” he said.
“I want to share how we think Bangladesh should be built in the coming days.”
He said merely highlighting problems would not bring solutions, adding that BNP has prepared plans to address various challenges.
“I want to hear from those of you who will run the country in the future -- how you think the country should be run,” he told the audience.
During the question-and-answer session, a young woman introduced herself as Tasnuva Tasreen, a fourth-year student of the Department of Management at University of Chittagong, and addressed him as “sir”.
Interrupting briefly, Tarique said those asking questions could call him “Bhaiya”.
“You can also call me uncle, considering my age,” he added.
“But I don’t like ‘uncle’ very much. It would be better if you call me ‘Bhaiya’.”
Tasnuva then continued her question, addressing him as “Bhaiya”.
She said she had started a mushroom business during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 but had to shut it down due to a lack of capital.
Referring to the difficulties young entrepreneurs face in securing bank loans because of collateral requirements, she asked what steps BNP would take to support small businesses if elected.
In response, Tarique said the country’s banking system involves many complications for borrowers.
He said BNP plans to amend relevant laws to make financing easier for small entrepreneurs.
He also said the party is considering introducing student loans for those who wish to pursue higher education abroad.
Later, Abdullah Mohammad Rafsan, a third-year student of Chattagram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical College, asked about BNP’s plans to address waterlogging, environmental protection, and pollution control.
Replying to the question, Tarique said waterlogging affects all major cities, including Chattogram and Dhaka.
“One of the key solutions is canal excavation,” he said.
“When it rains, water accumulates and has nowhere to go. That is why canals must be dug.”
He said BNP plans to dig 20,000km of canals across the country to ease waterlogging.
More than 340 students from around 50 universities and colleges in and around Chattogram participated in the youth policy discussion.
Tarique has returned to Chattogram after nearly two decades and is scheduled to address an election rally at the city’s Polo Ground later in the day.
Since early morning, leaders and activists have gathered at the venue, with supporters arriving from different parts of Chattogram district to listen to his speech.
After the Chattogram rally, Tarique is scheduled to address election rallies at Feni Pilot School ground at 4:30pm, Chauddagram High School ground in Cumilla at 5:30pm, Sonagazi at 7pm, Daudkandi Eidgah ground at 7:30pm, and Kanchpur Balurmat at 11pm.
