Welcoming the return of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman to the country, Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said that his homecoming will further strengthen the practice of multi-party democracy in Bangladesh.

In a post published at 5:00pm on Thursday on his verified Facebook page, Nahid Islam wrote that Tarique has returned to the country after 17 years.

“The restoration of a Bangladeshi citizen and political leader’s right to return to his own land is a positive reflection of our democratic struggle,” he said.

He wrote that Tarique and his family had been subjected to state repression due to political differences, forcing him into long-term exile.

“Through the blood sacrifice of thousands of martyrs during the mass uprising, a context has been created in which he and his family have been able to return home,” the post added.

Expressing his vision for the country, Nahid Islam said Bangladesh should be a state grounded in democratic values, where no political leader would face state oppression in the future because of dissenting views.

He also noted that after breaking out of the restricted political environment of the past one and a half decades, the nation is now moving toward a freer Bangladesh, with the primary goal of ensuring the rule of law and political rights for every citizen.

The NCP leader further wrote that he believes Tarique’s return will help consolidate the country’s multi-party democratic practice.

“In the new political reality, our main challenge is to build a culture of coexistence and healthy political competition. We welcome Tarique back home and hope his participation will be constructive in shaping the country’s democratic future,” he added.