“I Have a Plan – People and Country”

“I would first like to offer countless thanks to Almighty Allah. By the infinite mercy of the Lord of the Worlds, and through your prayers, today I have been able to return to my beloved motherland,” said Tarique Rahman, beginning his speech with heartfelt gratitude to Allah.

After 17 years, 3 months, and 15 days, amid a turbulent tide of people, Tarique Rahman made a majestic return to the country. Addressing the massive gathering, he declared, “I have a plan—people and country.” That plan, he said, is about Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh. “We want to build the Bangladesh that the people of this country aspire to. The time has come for all of us to build a safe and secure country together,” said the BNP Acting Chairman.

On Thursday (25 December), during this historic grand return, the 300 Feet area turned into a sea of people as millions gathered to welcome Tarique Rahman. His return became an emotional chapter in the history of Bengal. The massive crowd and waves of people on the streets proved that national leader Tarique Rahman is not merely a name—he is the heartbeat of the people.

As soon as the BNP Acting Chairman joined the reception program at Dhaka’s 300 Feet area, countless leaders and activists began chanting, “Tarique Rahman is returning like a hero to Bangladesh.” The area resonated with slogans and enthusiasm, filling the air with emotion and unity. Repeated chants echoed, and visible excitement swept through the supporters.

BNP Central Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said that Bangladesh had never witnessed such a massive event before. “After a long 17 years, Tarique Rahman is returning home. This reception is enormous. It is not only historic for our party but for the entire country. Leaders and activists have come to Dhaka to welcome the Acting Chairman after 17 years. This reflects our party’s strength, unity, and solidarity.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “We believe this gathering will inject new momentum into the country’s political environment and will have a positive impact on the democratic process.” He added that the slogans and enthusiasm shown during Tarique Rahman’s journey signal a renewed political awakening.

At the public reception, Tarique Rahman said, “I have a plan—for the people of the country, for my country.” He recalled the struggles of 1971, 1975, 1990, and 2024. Emphasizing unity, he said, “The time has come for all of us to build a safe country together.” He reiterated, “I have a plan for the people of my country, for my country.” That plan, he explained, is about Bangladesh and its people. “We want to build the Bangladesh that the people of this country expect.”

The BNP Acting Chairman departed from the airport at 12:35 PM in a special bus toward the 300 Feet area. Party leaders and activists lined both sides of the road, waving to welcome their leader. After 3 hours and 15 minutes, Tarique Rahman reached the stage.

Earlier, at 11:45 AM, the aircraft carrying Tarique Rahman landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, marking his return to the country after 17 long years.

After completing immigration procedures, he was first welcomed with flowers at the VIP lounge by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. He then embraced members of the party’s Standing Committee one by one and exchanged greetings with other leaders present.

Later, Tarique Rahman was welcomed with floral garlands by his mother-in-law. His wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, daughter Zaima Rahman, and other family members residing in the country were present at the time.

After leaving the airport, Tarique Rahman proceeded toward the 300 Feet area. Earlier, his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and their only daughter Zaima Rahman left the airport in a separate vehicle and went directly to their Gulshan residence.

At 9:56 AM, the aircraft carrying Tarique Rahman landed at Sylhet Osmani International Airport. After a one-hour stopover, the flight departed for Dhaka. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Flight BG-202) had departed from London Heathrow Airport at 6:15 PM local time on Wednesday.

Addressing party leaders and activists, Tarique Rahman said that after the absence of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, many political parties predicted that BNP would not survive. During difficult times, many leaders left the party. “At that critical moment, with patience and determination, Begum Khaleda Zia took charge of the party,” he said, requesting prayers for her as she remains unwell. Under her firm, fearless, and farsighted leadership, BNP advanced rapidly and, after fighting a powerful autocratic regime, assumed the responsibility of governing the country in 1991 with massive public support.

Political analysts say that BNP was founded on 1 September 1978 under the leadership of President Ziaur Rahman as one of the country’s largest centrist political parties. After being in state power four times and enduring more than a decade and a half of political darkness, BNP is once again sensing the call of state power. Following the unforgettable student-public uprising that led to the fall and flight of the Sheikh Hasina government, BNP has begun to dream of returning to power.

Despite being out of power for nearly 19 years, BNP and the Zia family remain at the center of the hopes and aspirations of a large segment of the Bangladeshi population. However, some dedicated grassroots leaders attending the reception expressed regret that the party may have deviated slightly from the timeless nationalist ideals of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman.

People from various professions noted that Tarique Rahman’s return has begun to heal internal divisions within BNP. Previously, internal conflicts had also divided students, teachers, intellectuals, professionals, and cultural activists. BNP has had to navigate its path by confronting multifaceted challenges.

On Thursday, massive crowds were seen across Dhaka—including Gulshan, Banani, Mohakhali, Kuril, the Airport area, MES, and Bishwaroad. On the ground, it was observed that leaders and activists from nearly all areas of the capital traveled in groups by trucks, buses, motorcycles, and on foot toward the airport and the 300 Feet area, chanting slogans such as “Tarique Rahman is coming, the streets are shaking,” “Tarique Rahman is returning to Bangladesh like a hero,” and “No fear, we won’t leave the streets.”

Sylhet Metropolitan BNP Acting President Qayes Lodi said, “This gathering is not only historic for our party but for the entire country. Leaders and activists are traveling to Dhaka after 17 years to welcome our Acting Chairman. It reflects our party’s strength, unity, and solidarity.”

Member of Begum Khaleda Zia’s Press Wing and senior Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan said, “We believe this gathering will add new momentum to the country’s political environment and positively influence the democratic process.”

Sylhet Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Imdad Ahmed Chowdhury said the enthusiasm and participation of leaders and activists prove the party’s unity and strength. “People from every district are participating. This return will inspire not only the party but also the country’s democratic process.”

Supporters shared personal experiences of walking long distances due to roadblocks. Many described their joy and pride in welcoming Tarique Rahman despite the hardship.

At the reception stage, Tarique Rahman symbolically removed his designated wooden chair and chose to sit on a simple plastic chair. He arrived at the venue around 3:50 PM in a red-and-green decorated bus from the airport. After delivering his main speech, he departed in the same bus to visit his ailing mother at Evercare Hospital.

Former Jubo Dal President and BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said that Begum Khaleda Zia had once predicted that millions would gather at the airport on the day Tarique Rahman returned—and that prediction came true. He noted that roads across Dhaka and the country were flooded with BNP supporters chanting slogans welcoming their beloved leader.

It was also noted that Tarique Rahman returned to the country with his pet cat “Jebu.” The cat was brought in a special carrier and later handed over to family members. Photos of Tarique Rahman spending affectionate moments with the cat had previously gone viral on social media.

Speaking about Jebu, he said, “The cat belongs to my daughter. Now, it belongs to all of us. We all adore it.