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Published : 08 Jan 2026, 04:08 PM
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the purpose of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s upcoming tour of Bangladesh’s northern districts is aimed to pay homage at the grave of a martyr, leaving “no scope for violating the election code of conduct”.
During the four-day tour starting Monday, Tarique Rahman will visit the grave of Abu Sayed, the first martyr of the July Uprising, at Babanpur Jafarpara in Rangpur’s Pirganj. Before Rangpur, he will travel to Bogura and also visit Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat.
The media has quoted some quarters as stating the tour violates the election code of conduct as it comes ahead of the start of formal campaigning.
In response to questions from reporters at the BNP Chairperson’s Office in Gulshan on Thursday, Salahuddin said: “Some people may perceive Tarique Rahman’s tour differently, but paying due respect to the martyrs of the 2024 student-led mass uprising is our national responsibility… Our leader, the BNP acting chairman, wanted to do this a long time ago, but for various reasons it was not possible until now.”
“The nation expects (everyone) to pay humble tribute to the martyrs and visit their graves. We uphold the spirit of the mass uprising, and we must elevate that spirit. That is why he (Tarique) is going. There is no issue of violating the election code of conduct here. This is how we view the matter.”
Salahuddin urged everyone not to question the dignity of the student-led mass uprising in 2024.
“We should further honour the sacrifices of the martyrs at the national level. If Tarique Rahman, as the top leader of the country’s largest political party, visits the graves of the martyrs of the mass uprising, lays wreaths and pays tribute, that reflects respect for the uprising itself. It reflects national expectations. This is how the issue should be seen,” he said.
According to his four-day programme itinerary, Tarique will leave Dhaka by road on Jan 11, travelling via Tangail and Sirajganj to Bogura, where he will stay overnight. On Jan 12, he will travel from Bogura to Dinajpur via Pirganj in Rangpur, then proceed to Thakurgaon for an overnight stay.
On Jan 13, he will tour Panchagarh, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat before returning to Rangpur for the night.
The BNP said that during the tour, Tarique will also meet injured July warriors and the families of martyrs.
The BNP acting chairman will visit the graves of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, martyr Abu Sayed, Tayeeba Majumder and other martyrs of the long democratic movement, and take part in prayer gatherings.
After 17 years, Tarique Rahman returned to the country from London with his family on Dec 25. On Dec 30, his mother, former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, died while undergoing treatment at a hospital. The BNP’s seven-day mourning programme concluded last Monday.
‘ACTION AGAINST REBELS’
Salahuddin Ahmed said the party has already taken organisational action against rebels and has also called them in to explain their actions.
“In a large political party like ours, many aspirants have expectations… Some may not have received what they hoped for. They wanted nominations,” he said.
“But for the greater good, for the sake of seat-sharing arrangements and to ensure multi-party representation in parliament, we have, in fact, deprived many of our capable candidates. As a result, there is resentment. In some cases, we have taken organisational measures, and for others, we are trying to explain the situation to them and calm them down. We hope these issues will be resolved.”
