"We Are All Free From Today": Tarique Rahman

BNP Chairman and Prime Minister-Elect Tarique Rahman addressed a post-election press conference at the Ballroom of Dhaka's InterContinental Hotel, declaring that the people of Bangladesh are free from today following the party's decisive victory.

He described the win as belonging to Bangladesh, democracy, and the democracy-loving people who sacrificed for it, stating that after more than one and a half decades, a parliament and government accountable through direct voting are being re-established. Rahman noted the challenging starting point with a fragile economy, dysfunctional constitutional institutions, and weak law and order inherited from the previous fascist regime, calling for unity to prevent any anti-democratic force from re-establishing fascism or turning Bangladesh into a subservient state.

Rahman extended heartfelt congratulations to all 51 participating political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and Gono Odhikar Parishad, emphasizing that political parties are lighthouses of democracy and urging both government and opposition to play responsible roles for institutionalizing democracy. He invited democratic parties to share ideas for nation-building, stressing that national unity is strength while division is weakness.

He offered special thanks to the interim government and Election Commission for conducting a peaceful, free, fair, and impartial election, as well as to judicial officials, public administration, armed forces, law enforcement, election officers, and domestic and international media and observers for their contributions.

Paying deep respect to martyrs and injured from the 1971 Liberation War to the 2024 mass uprising, Rahman prayed for their forgiveness. He noted the heavy absence of the late Begum Khaleda Zia, praising her uncompromising fight against fascism.

Rahman reaffirmed BNP's commitment to its 31-point state reform roadmap, which shaped the election manifesto, and to the July Charter despite notes of dissent, promising phased implementation of all pledges. He highlighted that BNP refrained from victory processions despite the absolute win, celebrating instead with gratitude to Allah, and instructed leaders and activists to maintain peace and vigilance against provocations.

Asserting that peace and order must be maintained at any cost, he stated no injustice or illegal activities will be tolerated, and the rule of law will be equal for all regardless of party, religion, or opinion, with attacks by the strong on the weak unacceptable. He urged preventing election-related misunderstandings from turning into revenge and called on pro-democracy people to contribute to combating corruption, maintaining law and order, and ensuring accountability for a safe and humane Bangladesh.

Concluding, Rahman thanked democratic forces, expatriates, and freedom-loving citizens for the victory.

Present at the conference were BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Dr Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, Nazrul Islam Khan, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Selima Rahman, Salahuddin Ahmed, and Sultan Salauddin Mahmud Tuku, among others. Local and foreign journalists attended, and Rahman answered questions after his prepared speech.