Following the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia—who led the party for 41 consecutive years—party leaders and activists were plunged into deep grief. Gradually overcoming that sorrow, they are now transforming it into strength and giving the highest priority to the upcoming national parliamentary election scheduled for 12 February. In this context, the first meeting of the BNP Central Election Steering Committee was held on Sunday at the party chairperson’s political office in Gulshan. The meeting was attended by the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Party insiders say the BNP wants to build a “new Bangladesh” in the post-24 era, and therefore its goal in this election is to secure a parliamentary majority.

They acknowledge that the void left by Begum Khaleda Zia can never truly be filled. However, after 17 long years, the physical presence of Tarique Rahman has greatly energized BNP leaders and activists across the country. The massive public rally in the capital surrounding his return, as well as the unprecedented turnout at Begum Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayers, are expected to have a significant impact on the upcoming election.

For more than a decade and a half, the BNP has faced political pressure, organizational weaknesses, and, in many cases, a leadership crisis. Although the announcement of the election schedule and Tarique Rahman’s return to the country had begun to break that stagnation, Khaleda Zia’s death has created a new reality for the party. In this situation, uniting the party and successfully navigating the electoral challenge has become the BNP’s primary objective. Having passed through the period of mourning, the party is now fully focused on the national election.

A 41-member high-level committee has already been formed to oversee election activities. Once the seven-day mourning program declared by the party ends and all related formalities are completed, candidates and leaders of the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol will actively enter the campaign field with full momentum.

Tarique Rahman is at the center of all preparations for the 12 February national election and has himself become fully engaged in election activities. On Saturday, he spent a long time at the Gulshan office, inquiring into organizational and election-related matters. He again attended the election committee meeting yesterday. In addition, he has been exchanging views on the upcoming election and other issues with leaders of allied and other parties who have come to sign the condolence book for Begum Khaleda Zia.

As part of the election process, Tarique Rahman has appointed a personal secretary and a press secretary. On 11 January, he will travel to his electoral constituency, Bogura. This road journey will mark the beginning of his election tour. Today, Monday, at a meeting of the BNP National Standing Committee, Tarique Rahman may be formally assigned the responsibilities of party chairman.

Tarique Rahman Becoming BNP Chairman

Within the next day or two, Tarique Rahman is set to transition from Acting Chairman to full Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Article 7(g) of the party constitution states that in the absence of the chairperson, the senior vice chairman shall perform the duties of chairman. Accordingly, Tarique Rahman had been carrying out the responsibilities of chairman as Acting Chairman during the imprisonment and illness of Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Now, only formalities remain.

The party’s officially declared seven-day mourning program following Begum Khaleda Zia’s passing concludes today. A regular meeting of the National Standing Committee has been convened for tonight, and it is widely believed that Tarique Rahman will formally assume and preside over the chairmanship at this meeting.

Regarding this matter, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will assume the position of chairman within a day or two. Under his leadership, the BNP will begin its election campaign from Sylhet.

According to the party constitution, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has automatically assumed the role of chairman. However, no formal announcement has yet been made, nor is the title being officially used. As a result, it has not yet been decided whose photograph will appear on campaign banners and festoons for party candidates.

Moreover, under Rule 7(c) of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in the 2025 Parliamentary Election, if a contesting candidate is nominated by a registered political party, he or she may print only the photograph of the party’s current leader on banners, leaflets, handbills, and festoons.