Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday accused a political party of adopting the rhetoric of a dictator who fled the country to target the BNP.

The BNP leader, addressing a divisional rally in Mymensingh, hinted at the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and said that, although they claim the BNP was corrupt, two of their members served in the BNP government from 2001 to 2006. He added that if the BNP were truly so bad, those members should have resigned.

Referring to the BNP-led four-party alliance government between 2001 and 2006, Tarique highlighted that two ministers from Jamaat remained in government throughout the term.

‘They stayed in office knowing that Khaleda Zia was taking strict measures against corruption,’ he said.

Tarique urged people, regardless of caste, creed, or religion, to remain united like in 1971 and the July uprising to ensure his party’s victory in the February 12 election and rebuild the country.

He said that in both 1971 and 2024, people stood shoulder to shoulder without asking ‘who came from the hills or the plains, or who was Muslim, Christian, or from another faith.’

‘This time, on February 12, we must stand united again. If we remain united, just as we won independence and removed autocracy, we will be able to build the Bangladesh we dream of,’ he said.

He urged everyone to pledge to transform Bangladesh into a nation genuinely governed by its citizens.

Tarique, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman, arrived in Mymensingh by road at about 3:30pm as part of his countrywide election campaign.

Before taking the stage, Tarique spoke with family members of those killed and injured in the July uprising and in democratic movements against Sheikh Hasina over the past 17 years.

Calling for early voter turnout, Tarique urged party supporters to arrive at polling centres at dawn on the election day.

He said that voters should cast their ballots promptly but remain at the centres to ensure votes were properly counted.

He warned that in the past, votes had been denied or tampered with and emphasised the need for vigilance to prevent any fraud this time.

The rally was presided over by Mymensingh-5 candidate and south district convener Zakir Hossain Babul.

After concluding the Mymensingh rally, Tarique left for Gazipur to attend his next campaign event at Rajbari College ground.