Although BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has remained abroad for over 15 years, party leaders say he has emerged as a mature political figure, admired for his prudence, foresight, and ability to make timely decisions. As anticipation builds over his return to Bangladesh, BNP insiders allege that a deliberate campaign has been launched to malign him and derail the country's path to democratic transition.
BNP leaders claim that the recent killing of businessman Sohag in Old Dhaka is being used as a pretext by political opponents to spread "false and baseless" information implicating Tarique. They believe this is a last-ditch effort by forces who have failed to counter him politically.
Speaking on the matter, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “A vested group has had the audacity to launch a character assassination campaign against Tarique Rahman. A planned smear operation is underway against the BNP and its leadership, with Tarique Rahman as the primary target. His exceptional organisational skills—rare in politics—make him the nation’s hope and the symbol of its future.”
According to senior BNP figures, those afraid of Tarique Rahman’s popularity are conspiring to destroy his image out of political insecurity and envy. They argue that whenever national stability begins to emerge, elements threatened by democratic transition turn their focus toward discrediting the BNP leader, particularly through social media and coordinated misinformation campaigns.
The party believes the conspiracy extends beyond domestic political rivals to include remnants of the ousted Awami League and allied forces—both local and international—who are working in disguise against the July People’s Uprising. BNP has decided to confront such anti-democratic forces with vigilance while reiterating its commitment to assist law enforcement in restoring order and upholding peace.
Three of the party’s affiliated wings—Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal—have already launched street programmes demanding an end to mob violence, deterioration of law and order, and threats to public security. BNP leaders stress that ongoing inaction against such chaos has created a climate of fear and raised public doubts about the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies.
A senior policymaker within the BNP said, “Tarique Rahman’s vision for national reconstruction under the slogan ‘Bangladesh First’ has become one of the central reasons behind the plot to discredit him and the party. Jealousy and insecurity have driven certain political factions and groups to spread falsehoods—this is nothing but political sabotage.”
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also accused international actors and certain Islamist parties of participating in a broader conspiracy aimed at damaging public confidence in the BNP. “There is a deep-rooted plot both inside and outside the state, with Tarique Rahman as its target,” he said. “He has never shielded wrongdoers—he has taken organisational action against over 5,000 to 6,000 party members.”
BNP leaders assert that these targeted efforts will not succeed. On the contrary, they believe the public sees through the smear campaigns and continues to place its trust in Tarique Rahman’s leadership and the BNP’s commitment to democratic reform.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
