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Published : 25 Jan 2026, 02:19 PM
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Tarique Rahman has said his party will take tough action against corruption and prioritise public safety if it returns to power through the 13th parliamentary election.
Speaking at an election rally at Chattogram’s Polo Ground on Sunday, Tarique said combating corruption and ensuring law and order would be central to a future BNP government.
“The BNP has shown in the past that it is capable of controlling corruption. At any cost, the next BNP government will firmly clamp down on corruption. These two issues -- tackling corruption and ensuring public security -- are our commitments to the people of this country.”
Tarique accused the Awami League government in power between 1996 and 2001 of weakening the country through corruption, and said that under former prime minister Khaleda Zia, the BNP had worked to reverse that trend after returning to office in 2001.
He warned that there would be no tolerance for those who obstruct development plans through corruption or by breaking the law.
“I want to state clearly that anyone who violates the law or seeks to undermine our plans through corruption will not be spared,” he said.
Tarique said meaningful change would require unity among political forces, adding that development efforts would fail without strong action against corruption and improvements in public safety.
He said previous BNP governments had taken action even against members of their own party accused of wrongdoing.
“If the people of this country stand by the BNP, we will continue to maintain law and order with a firm hand,” he said, adding that the aim was to allow ordinary working people to live and earn their livelihoods without fear.
'CHATTOGRAM WILL BE THE COMMERCIAL CAPITAL'
Tarique said Chattogram holds a historic and emotional place in the heart of the nation and pledged to make it Bangladesh’s commercial capital if the BNP comes to power.
“This is that Chattogram — this sacred land — from where [late president] Ziaur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. This is the same sacred land where [Ziaur Rahman] embraced martyrdom.
“Dear brothers and sisters, this is also the sacred land where Khaleda Zia was honoured with the title of ‘Deshnetri’. I and my family share a deep emotional bond with this soil.”
Tarique said the people of the region have long demanded a major initiative that a previous BNP government had begun but could not complete due to lack of time.
"Over the past 15 years, we have seen no effort to move this forward. If this initiative is implemented, it will not only benefit the people of Chattogram, but will create massive employment opportunities across the region and the entire country. Business and trade will flourish nationwide. That initiative is making Chattogram the commercial capital [of the county].”
He added that if BNP forms the government after the Feb 12 election, Khaleda's vision would be implemented without delay.
'TRUST THE BNP'
Introducing BNP candidates from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and the hill districts, Tarique called on the public to place their trust in the BNP by voting for the party’s election symbol, the sheaf of paddy.
“We want to build the Bangladesh we envision by taking everyone along -- be it people living in the hills or the plains, Muslims or followers of other religions."
Appealing directly to voters, Tarique said: “I want to call on those who believe in democracy, who believe in freedom of speech and democratic rights, to place their trust in the sheaf of paddy -- that is, the BNP.”
He added that if elected, the party would work with the public to deliver the country people aspire to.
“Through the hundreds of thousands gathered here today, I want to reach out to millions across your areas --- to those who believe in democracy, in freedom of speech, and in democratic rights -- place your trust in the sheaf of paddy, place your trust in the BNP.”
“If the sheaf of paddy and the BNP are elected, we will once again work with you and with the country’s hardworking people to build the Bangladesh they dream of. As I always say, 'We will work, we will build the nation, putting Bangladesh first.'"
He added that building a democratic Bangladesh would require unity among political forces, adding that sacrifices made by past activists must be honoured through continued efforts to strengthen democracy.
Tarique formally launched his election campaign from Sylhet on Jan 22. The Chattogram rally marks his second major campaign stop outside the capital.
The last BNP rally at the Polo Ground was held in 2012 and addressed by Tarique's mother and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Party officials said Sunday’s gathering was the largest BNP rally at the venue since then.
After the Chattogram event, Tarique is scheduled to address further rallies in Feni, Cumilla and Narayanganj as part of his ongoing campaign.
