In a powerful address, BNP Acting Chairman Tarik Rahman declared the 1971 Liberation War as indispensable to Bangladesh’s identity. Meeting leftist allies from the Democratic United Front (DUF) in Dhaka, he asserted that the struggle against Pakistani rule laid the groundwork for the nation’s statehood and politics.
‘The Liberation War is the foundation stone of Bangladesh as a sovereign state and its political life. No Bangladesh without 1971,’ Rahman stated, as reported by BSS and local outlets from the BNP office gathering.
Turning to recent upheavals, Rahman pointed to fresh political possibilities. He advocated joint efforts across the political spectrum: ‘Government and opposition must work together to advance the country.’ National cohesion, he argued, is key to strengthening democracy through these opportunities.
DUF representatives condoled Khaleda Zia’s death on December 30 during the talks, which also covered law and order woes—issues Rahman flagged with alarm. He passionately called for solidarity to ensure transparent national polls.
BSD General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz later shared, ‘Tarik emphasized post-return that the Liberation War defines us; Bangladesh owes its being to it.’
Fresh from 17 years abroad, Rahman landed in Dhaka on December 25 with family, just as elections loom on February 12, 2026, including a July Charter vote.
Experts predict his re-entry will shape the interim Yunus administration’s credibility, especially with demands for fair elections intensifying. Rahman’s message blends historical reverence with a forward-looking push for unity, signaling BNP’s role in Bangladesh’s evolving landscape.