Full text of Tarique Rahman’s speech in the post election press conference-

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman today spoke at press conference on the winning of his party in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The press conference was held at Hotel InterContinental in the capital. Following is the full-text of the BNP Chairman’s speech in English. Dear fellow citizens, distinguished journalists from home and abroad, good afternoon and Assalamu Alaikum. The freedom-loving, pro-democracy people of the country have once again brought victory to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP, Alhamdulillah.

This victory belongs to Bangladesh. This victory belongs to democracy. This victory belongs to the people who aspire to and have sacrificed for democracy. From today, we are all free, with the true essence of freedom and rights restored. I congratulate the people of Bangladesh. By overcoming all obstacles, you have paved the way for the establishment of democracy in the country.

We are about to begin our journey in a situation marked by a fragile economy left behind by the authoritarian regime, weakened constitutional and statutory institutions, and a deteriorating law and order situation. With your spontaneous participation, after more than one and a half decades, a parliament and government accountable to the people through direct voting are being re-established in the country. To ensure that no evil force can re-establish autocracy in the country, and to ensure that the nation is not turned into a subservient state, we must remain united and uphold the will of the people.

A total of 51 political parties participated in this election, including Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and Gono Odhikar Parishad, among others. I extend my sincere congratulations to every political party that participated in the national election, irrespective of the results. In a democratic state and political system, political parties are the true beacons of democracy. If both the government and the opposition play responsible roles from their respective positions, democracy will surely take institutional form in the country.

I call upon all democratic political parties that participated in the election. Your ideas and perspectives are important to us in the nation-building process. Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united. I firmly believe that national unity is our collective strength, while division is our weakness.

Dear fellow citizens,

Meeting the expectations of the people, a free, fair, and credible election has finally been held peacefully in the country. For this, I extend special thanks to the interim government and the Election Commission. Your contribution to holding this long-awaited election will be remembered in the history of democracy. The judicial officials, members of the public administration, armed forces, and law enforcement agencies, as well as the returning officers, assistant returning officers, presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, polling officers, and all others involved in conducting the election, without your sincerity and responsible role, this election would not have been possible. We sincerely thank you all.

The role of domestic and international media and observers in this election was also significant. You have strengthened electoral integrity. My heartfelt greetings to you as well. From the War of Independence in 1971 to the mass uprising in 2024 to protect the freedom of our country and our people, throughout this long journey, those who were martyred or injured in the movement to establish democracy, those brave individuals whose blood and sacrifices paved the difficult path toward today’s democratic Bangladesh, I express my deepest respect. I pray to Almighty Allah for their forgiveness.

Those who sacrificed their lives or were injured in the struggle to establish the rights of the people will be remembered with the deepest respect by the democracy-loving people of this country.

Dear fellow citizens,

BNP presented a framework for repairing the state through discussions with other democratic parties and people across the country, known to you as the 31-point agenda. Our election manifesto was formulated based on these 31 points. At the same time, BNP signed the July Charter with a note of dissent on certain issues. We are committed to the people and, Insha’Allah, will gradually implement every promise we have made. For the leaders, activists, and supporters of BNP across the country, and for all democracy-loving citizens, today is a moment of great joy.

Yet in this joyful atmosphere, the absence of our uncompromising national leader, Begum Khaleda Zia, weighs heavily upon us. In anticipation of such a democratic moment to establish the rights of the people in state and politics, she fought resolutely against fascism until the last day of her life. On matters of national and public interest, she was always firm and steadfast. We pray to Almighty Allah for the forgiveness of the late Khaleda Zia.

Dear fellow citizens,

The people of this country have once again given the mandate to BNP, founded by the proclaimer of independence, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. The trust and love that the people have shown toward BNP must now be repaid through tireless and united efforts to improve the quality of life of our citizens. I thank the BNP leaders, activists, and supporters across the country. Despite severe oppression and persecution, you did not leave the streets. You remained steadfast in the struggle to establish democracy.

Now it is time to build the nation. In this journey of rebuilding the country, each and every one of us must play a responsible role. We have celebrated this victory of democracy and human rights peacefully and with dignity. To ensure that no unpleasant incidents occur anywhere in post-election Bangladesh, despite many provocations, I called upon all BNP leaders and activists across the country to remain calm and vigilant, so that no malicious force can exploit the situation to create unrest.

Even after achieving a landslide victory, I instructed BNP and allied party leaders and activists not to hold victory processions. We have celebrated our victory by offering thanks to Almighty Allah. Our position is clear. Peace and order must be maintained at any cost. No wrongdoing or unlawful activity will be tolerated. Regardless of party, religion, race, or differing opinions, under no circumstances will attacks by the strong against the weak be accepted.

Justice will be our guiding principle. If the rule of law is not established, all our efforts will be in vain. In upholding the rule of law, whether in government or opposition, regardless of differing views, the law must be equal for every citizen of Bangladesh. The law will be enforced in accordance with statutory provisions. During the election, while competing against one another, misunderstandings or discord may have arisen in some places. I urge everyone to ensure that such disputes do not turn into revenge or retaliation.

I call upon the democracy-loving people of the country. Just as we played our role in the struggle to establish democracy, let us now, from our respective positions, contribute to combating corruption, maintaining law and order, and ensuring accountability to the people, so that Bangladesh may be established as a safe and humane nation. On the journey toward building a safe, humane, and democratic Bangladesh, I seek the cooperation of all, regardless of party or opinion.

With congratulations and thanks once again to all democratic forces around the world, to all expatriate Bangladeshis, and to the freedom-loving people of our country on this victory, I conclude my speech.

Allah Hafiz.

Long live Bangladesh.

Long live Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP.