Tarique Rahman outlined the new Bangladesh in a historic speech at a 300-foot public reception.

Md. Ayasel Hossain, Staff Reporter.

Quoting the famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., he said, “Martin Luther King said he had a dream. And, today I want to tell you – I have a plan for Bangladesh.” He said in English, “I have a plan for the people of my country, for my country.”

(December 25, 2025) Thursday.
After returning to his homeland after a long 17 years, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman showed the dream of a new Bangladesh in his first public meeting.

Tarique Rahman said in his speech that the great liberation war of 1971 and the mass uprising of the students and the people of 2024 are intertwined with the same formula. We liberated the country in 1971, and in 2024, we defended that independence and sovereignty. Paying tribute to the martyrs of the July Revolution, he said, “We must repay their blood debt by building the Bangladesh they dreamed of.”

Tarique Rahman highlighted the need for a strong economy in his plan, not just political reform. He said that along with political change, BNP’s main goal is to ensure the economic rights of the people. He called on the youth of the country to be responsible and said that the young generation must play a key role in maintaining the development and stability of Bangladesh.

In his speech, he remembered martyred student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. He said that Sharif Osman Hadi dreamed of a democratic Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman added that he pledged to ensure justice for his murder as well as restore the economic rights of the people.

Tarique Rahman, who has been in exile for 17 years and three months, expressed his deep gratitude to all the selfless leaders, activists and countrymen who have sustained the party in his absence by enduring endless imprisonment and oppression. He said, “With your support, my plan will definitely succeed.”

Laying special emphasis on communal harmony and security in Bangladesh, he said, “Bangladesh is for everyone. There are mountains and plains here; Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians live here. We want to build a safe Bangladesh where a woman, man or child can leave their homes without fear and return home safely.”

According to a BBC-Reuters-New York Times-Al Jazeera report, Tarique Rahman is a potential prime minister.

After this brief yet very significant speech, Tarique Rahman went directly from the 300-foot public reception stage to the capital’s Evercare Hospital. There, he met his seriously ill mother, former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

After returning home after a long 17-year exile, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman finally reached his Gulshan residence after meeting his mother.

He reached Gulshan at around 8:30 pm amid tight security. At that time, thousands of BNP leaders and activists standing on both sides of the road filled the area with chants of ‘Welcome Tarique Rahman’.