Speaking virtually on Sunday (November 2) as the chief guest at the launch of an online payment gateway for BNP’s expatriate members held at Lakeshore Hotel in Dhaka’s Gulshan, Tarique Rahman said the country is witnessing “organized misinformation and tactical moves” aimed at undermining the BNP’s electoral prospects.

“Once, to prevent the BNP’s victory, a fallen autocrat established fascism in Bangladesh and destroyed the electoral system for 15 years,” Rahman said. “It is worrying and surprising that, even after the fall of fascism, similar efforts are reappearing to block BNP’s success.”

Expressing confidence in his party’s grassroots strength, Rahman added, “As long as those who believe in Bangladeshi nationalism remain united, no force can alienate BNP from the people.”

He noted that under the former autocratic regime, public interest in elections had diminished. “Now, under the interim government, people are once again asking whether elections will be held on time. This uncertainty should not have arisen,” he said, warning that public doubts about the election schedule could complicate the path toward democratic transition.

Rahman emphasized that, as a responsible democratic party, the BNP has consistently prioritized national unity against fascism, compromising where necessary to maintain consensus with other democratic forces and cooperating with the interim government to the extent possible. “Yet, we are witnessing new conditions being added one after another, pushing the democratic process into uncertainty,” he said.

Cautioning political parties to distinguish between strategy and deceit, Rahman warned that failing to do so could lead to “unconditional surrender to undemocratic and evil forces.”

He also confirmed that the BNP is completing its preparations to contest the next national election expected in February 2026, with nomination processes nearly finalized in all 300 constituencies. “As a popular and people-backed party, BNP has more than one qualified aspirant in almost every constituency,” he said, adding that the party has decided to support candidates from other democratic parties that stood alongside the BNP during the anti-fascism movement.

“Some of our own aspirants may not receive nominations due to seat-sharing realities,” he said, urging party members to accept this pragmatically in the interest of the nation and the people. “Everyone must accept the party’s final decision.”

Rahman said the list of BNP-endorsed candidates will be announced gradually. Warning his supporters, he said, “Beware of hidden autocrats lurking with concealed ambitions. Avoid internal disputes—our opponents must not find opportunities in our divisions.”

Reaffirming BNP’s long-standing struggle against both domestic and foreign conspiracies, Rahman said, “Since its founding, BNP has faced countless conspiracies but has always been supported by democracy-loving citizens. The reality is, BNP remains a trusted and popular political institution, steadfast in its commitment to the people and democracy.”