BNP takes to the field in election mood

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) celebrated “National Revolution and Solidarity Day” across the country, including in the capital Dhaka, amid an election atmosphere.

Posters, banners, and placards bearing the BNP’s election symbol — the sheaf of paddy — were displayed at the rally and procession in Dhaka, where party activists chanted election slogans and the leaders’ speeches centred around the upcoming polls.

At the Dhaka rally, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that no conspiracy or plot would be able to derail the February election.

Outside Dhaka, similar programmes were held in Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur, Cumilla, Barishal, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Bogura, and all other divisions and districts marking 7 November.

At the Chattogram rally, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that there was no scope to move away from the July Charter, which had been signed on 17 October at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) building following a consensus.

The BNP took to the field across the country on Friday to observe National Revolution and Solidarity Day. With the presence of nominated candidates in different constituencies, the programmes effectively marked the informal start of the election campaign.

At the Dhaka rally, the BNP Secretary General described the call by eight like-minded parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, for a referendum before the national election as a “conspiracy to sabotage the election.”

He warned the interim government, saying, “We want to make it very clear – conspiracies are being hatched regarding the election. The election and referendum must be held on the same day, and that election must take place in February 2026. Otherwise, the people of Bangladesh will never accept it.”

Mirza Fakhrul added, “A certain political party has formed an alliance and is exerting pressure in various ways. They are saying the referendum must take place before the election. We said the referendum must be held on the day of the election. Holding two votes will cost a lot of money and reduce the importance of the main election. Unfortunately, the interim government, which we fully supported, is now taking measures that are obstructing the electoral process.”

Alleging conspiracies against the BNP, Mirza Fakhrul urged party leaders and activists to pledge to continue their movement until the parliamentary election in February next year. “We will take part in this election, and Inshallah, we will win and build a new Bangladesh.”

At 3:30 pm Friday, after the rally in front of the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, the party brought out a procession through Dhaka. The rally was presided over by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas said at the event, “A certain party is trading in religion, selling tickets to heaven. They are saying that a major party is conspiring. The BNP has no history of conspiracy or seizing power through the back door. The BNP has long been patient and cooperative with the government. Those who mistake our patience for weakness are living in a fool’s paradise.”

After the rally, a procession started from Naya Paltan led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam. Leaders and activists joined the march carrying festoons and banners featuring images of the party’s founder Ziaur Rahman, Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

The procession ended at the SAARC Fountain after passing through Kakrail, Malibagh, Moghbazar, and Bangla Motor. The event was attended by members of the BNP and its affiliate bodies — Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Muktijoddha Dal, JASAS, Krishak Dal, and Matsyajibi Dal.

The rally was conducted by BNP Central Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin and addressed by Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan, Dhaka north city unit Convenor Aminul Haque, and south city unit Convenor Rafiqul Alam Majnu, among others.

At the Chattogram rally, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “The Charter was signed based on consensus. There is no scope to deviate from it. Those trying to impose their own demands on others beyond that consensus should remember — Bangladesh cannot return to Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian path. Do not try to force BNP or anyone else into your way from Dhaka.”

The rally was held Friday afternoon at Biplob Udyan in the city’s Soloshahar 2 no. Gate area, presided over by Chattogram City BNP Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman.

BNP central organising secretary and party nominee for Noakhali-6 Mahbubur Rahman, Chattogram City Mayor Shahadat Hossain, joint organising secretary and Chattogram-5 candidate Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, former Joint Organising Secretary Abul Hashem, Central Executive Committee Member Shamsul Alam, and BNP International Affairs Subcommittee Member Israfil Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury also spoke.

In Sylhet, all four BNP candidates nominated in the district were present at a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar. They expressed hope of gifting all six seats in the district and 19 in the division to Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the next election.

The rally, presided over by District BNP President Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, was addressed by BNP chairperson’s adviser and Sylhet-1 nominee Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, adviser and Sylhet-4 nominee Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Assistant Organising Secretary Miftah Siddiqui, UK BNP pesident and Sylhet-3 nominee MA Malik, and District BNP general secretary and Sylhet-6 nominee Emran Ahmed Chowdhury.

Before the rally, a procession started from Bandar Bazar Court Point and ended at the Shaheed Minar.

In Barishal’s Gournadi, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser and Barishal-1 (Gournadi-Agailjhara) candidate Zahir Uddin Swapan formally launched his campaign through a public meeting.

At the event held at the Gournadi Government Pilot Secondary School ground, BNP Joint Secretary General (International Affairs) Humayun Kabir said that the country’s future depends on a participatory, fair, and acceptable election. “To work for the people,” he said, “we must first restore their right to vote. BNP is fighting to establish that right.”

In Lakshmipur, the district BNP organised a discussion meeting at Bashir Villa on Godown Road, chaired by District BNP convenor and Central Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie. BNP chairperson’s Adviser Abul Khair Bhuiyan was the chief guest.

BNP chairperson’s adviser and former Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abedin Farroque, addressing a rally at Thana Mor in Senbagh Municipality of Noakhali, said some parties had engaged in conspiracies under the guise of “PR and TR” before the election. “Everyone should remain alert about them,” he warned.

At a rally in Haluaghat, Mymensingh, BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince said, “Some political parties are attempting to create obstacles on the path to election. Seeing the mass wave in favor of BNP, they are trying to create chaos by making non-issues into issues to deprive people of their voting rights and push the country back into darkness.”

At Keshabpur in Jashore, BNP leaders sent a message of party unity. BNP candidate for Jashore-6 Kazi Rowonakul Islam (Shrabon) joined the programme alongside three other nomination seekers – executive committee member and upazila unit president Abul Hossain Azad, central assistant secretary for religious affairs Amlendu Das, and municipal BNP president Abdus Samad Biswas.

Amlendu Das said, “We gathered here in response to the party’s call for unity. This is an example of solidarity.”

Candidate Rowonakul Islam said, “The presence of all leaders today proves our unity. It has inspired our activists and strengthened the confidence of voters.” He said that receiving the nomination symbol on this historic day marked the start of his official campaign.

In Gazipur, the Metropolitan BNP brought out a massive procession yesterday afternoon from Shibbari intersection under the leadership of City BNP General Secretary and Gazipur-2 candidate M Manjurul Karim. Thousands of activists joined. Another large procession was brought out by District BNP from Rajbari Road led by District Convenor and Gazipur-3 candidate AKM Fazlul Haque, Joint Convenor and Gazipur-5 candidate Rafiqul Islam, Member Secretary Ishraq Ahmed Siddiqi, and Joint Convenor and Gazipur-4 candidate Shah Riazul Hannan.

In Natore, BNP Central Executive Member Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu formally launched his election campaign with a huge procession that started from Alaiapur at 11:30 am Thousands of activists joined with power tillers, trucks, and motorcycles wrapped with sheaves of paddy, carrying campaign banners and festoons.

In Kurigram, BNP activists joined a district rally holding banners, festoons, and party flags. Speakers called on everyone to work unitedly for the victory of District Member Secretary and Kurigram-2 candidate Sohel Hossain Kaykobad.

In Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, a rally and procession were held with BNP candidate for Moulvibazar-4 Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, attended by thousands of activists.

In Bhola, BNP held a large rally and procession led by district convenor and Bhola-1 (Sadar) candidate Golam Nabi Alamgir. Thousands of activists from BNP and its associate bodies expressed joy with drum beats, stick games, and banners and festoons featuring the sheaf of paddy symbol.

At a rally in Manikganj, BNP chairperson’s adviser and district convenor Afroza Khanam Rita called on activists to reclaim all constituencies in the district.

In Cox’s Bazar, a procession marking the day turned into an election campaign march for BNP’s Cox’s Bazar-3 (Sadar, Ramu, Eidgaon) candidate Lutfor Rahman Kajol. Activists displayed the sheaf of paddy symbol and chanted slogans in its favour.

In Sherpur, Bogura, former MP and Bogura-5 (Sherpur-Dhunat) BNP candidate G M Siraj addressed a rally marking the day. “If the sheaf of paddy wins,” he said, “you win, and the Zia family wins.”

At a rally at the Eidgah ground in Kauriapara, Narsingdi, BNP Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon said, “Tarique Rahman will return to the country and rebuild the party. By the end of this month, he will return and take charge of national politics. The people want to see him as the next Prime Minister.”

Similar rallies and processions were held amid election enthusiasm in Khulna, Cumilla, Jhalakathi, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Chuadanga, and Satkhira.

[Prothom Alo’s Staff Correspondents and Correspondents for the respective area contributed reporting.]