In a significant statement, Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), urged his followers to refrain from addressing him as a “national leader” or “statesman” from this point onward. He expressed his request during a video conference at a workshop titled “31 Points for Structural Reform and Public Engagement” at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Kakrail, Dhaka, which was held on the occasion of the workshop’s inauguration by the BNP’s training committee. Tarique Rahman said that as a colleague and leader, he humbly requested that these titles not be used about him.
The workshop, part of a series planned for various divisions across the country, also had BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as a special guest in its second session. The event was chaired by Kazi Saijedul Alam Babul, the party’s organizational secretary, and was conducted by ABM Mosharraf Hossain, secretary of the BNP’s training sub-committee. During his address, Tarique Rahman spoke on a variety of topics, including the country’s future governance, unemployment, and economic reforms, while providing key directives for party members.
Tarique Rahman noted that despite the success of Bangladesh’s garment and remittance industries, there is a significant opportunity to create new job sectors outside these areas. He emphasized the potential for outsourcing and pledged government support to increase citizen involvement in this sector. Reflecting on reforms, he recalled the 27-point program introduced by BNP at a time when no one else was considering such issues. He expressed pride in BNP’s history, mentioning its leadership under founder Ziaur Rahman, and acknowledged the party’s contributions to the country’s governance. Tarique also urged party members to take the 31-point program to grassroots levels and hold community meetings, especially in rural areas, to discuss and promote these initiatives.
Citing the importance of political and economic freedom, Tarique Rahman referenced a statement by a leader from the Titumir College unit of the Student Wing (Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal). The leader had asserted that without economic and political freedom, no reform would be effective. According to Rahman, securing political freedom meant ensuring accountability to the people, which could only be achieved by restoring the right to vote. He reiterated the importance of upholding citizens’ voting rights, stating that people must have the ability to elect their leaders and participate in the political process.
In addressing the issue of employment, Rahman highlighted the staggering unemployment figures, noting that over 10 million people in the country were jobless. He pointed out that, beyond garments and remittances, there were significant opportunities to develop new sectors that could provide employment. Although he acknowledged that addressing this issue would not be a quick fix, Rahman expressed hope that, with concerted effort, they could reduce unemployment substantially shortly. He urged party members to come together, emphasizing that every citizen, regardless of their position, could contribute to meaningful change.
During the training session, Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, a permanent member of BNP’s national standing committee, made a strong appeal for the establishment of an interim government that would facilitate necessary reforms and lead the country to swift elections. He claimed that the demand for an interim government was not his alone, but shared by everyday citizens—including rickshaw drivers, day laborers, domestic workers, and female workers across the country. According to Moin Khan, the young generation, who have historically sparked revolutions, have not even been able to cast their votes. This lack of voting rights, he argued, has marginalized millions, and it is essential to restore voting rights to the country’s 12 crore (120 million) eligible voters.
Moin Khan also pointed out that young people, who are the future of Bangladesh, have been deprived of their fundamental rights, including the right to vote. The lack of democratic rights for the youth is a key issue that needs to be addressed urgently, he stated. He concluded his remarks by reiterating the need for a political transition that would restore the rights of voters and ensure a more democratic system.
The workshop itself was an important part of BNP’s ongoing efforts to engage with party members and the public. It aimed at educating the party’s grassroots leaders about the party’s political agenda, the 31-point program, and other aspects of BNP’s vision for Bangladesh’s future governance. By directly involving the party’s leaders in discussions on economic policies, job creation, and political freedom, Tarique Rahman and other leaders hoped to rally support for the party’s goals, including electoral reforms, national development, and the return of political accountability.
The 31-point program discussed at the workshop includes a broad array of proposals aimed at transforming Bangladesh’s governance, economy, and political institutions. In particular, Tarique Rahman emphasized the importance of prioritizing structural reforms that would benefit the country’s working population and enhance economic opportunities. While the political establishment has often been criticized for its inefficiencies, Rahman’s message emphasized the party’s intent to pursue progressive reforms to improve the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly those struggling with unemployment.
Rahman’s call for action from his party members, especially at the grassroots level, signals a deep commitment to implementing the party’s political agenda. By urging greater public involvement, he hoped to turn the 31-point reform plan into a movement that could gain support from people across the country. This approach highlights the importance of public engagement and activism in achieving the party’s objectives, particularly in terms of securing political freedom and economic opportunities for Bangladesh’s citizens.
As the workshop concluded, the party’s leadership reiterated their determination to hold the government accountable and push for reforms that would address key challenges facing the country, including unemployment, political disenfranchisement, and governance issues. The statement from Tarique Rahman, as well as Dr. Moin Khan’s call for a more democratic election process, reflects the growing frustration within the opposition over the current political environment. With upcoming elections in the future, it is clear that the BNP is positioning itself as a strong advocate for reform, focusing on securing democratic rights, job creation, and political transparency.