Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tareq Rahman, has alleged that various efforts are underway to prevent his party’s victory in the upcoming national election. He said that if a fair election were to be held at this moment, the people of Bangladesh would cast their votes in favor of the BNP. For this reason, he claimed, vested interests are employing strategies to obstruct the party’s path to power.

Speaking on Thursday at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in Dhaka, during a greetings exchange event with leaders of the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami, Tareq Rahman stressed that the democratic process in the country remains under threat. According to him, just as the nation once struggled against dictatorial regimes, a similar tendency of preventing the BNP from gaining ground is evident in the current political climate.

Tareq Rahman argued that those who are attempting to set conditions and impose restrictions as part of a political framework to stop the BNP should instead confront the party through legitimate political competition. “Politics should be countered with politics, not with artificial barriers,” he said, pointing to what he described as the ruling authority’s fear of losing public support.

Addressing the ongoing debate surrounding the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, Rahman said that in Bangladesh’s current situation, such a system is not suitable. While acknowledging that there may be differing opinions on PR, he emphasized that political differences are part of the democratic process. However, he asserted that under the prevailing conditions, collective efforts cannot resolve the deep-rooted crisis.

Rahman also issued a warning against attempts to destabilize the political atmosphere ahead of the elections. He alleged that certain groups are deliberately trying to create confusion, which he believes poses a significant obstacle to the progress of democracy. “Those who are trying to muddy the waters before the election are in fact obstructing the journey towards democratic advancement,” he said.

In his speech, the BNP leader also cautioned against excessive polarization and confrontation among democratic forces, saying that such rivalries must not be pushed to a point where an opening is created for what he termed “fugitive autocrats” to exploit the situation. He did not specify further but hinted at the risks of authoritarian resurgence if the democratic course is derailed.

The BNP, which has long criticized the government for what it sees as the erosion of democratic institutions, continues to insist on a free and fair election under a neutral authority. Rahman’s comments come at a time when debates over electoral reforms, including proposals for alternative systems such as PR, have intensified. However, BNP maintains that these proposals are being used as political tools to weaken its chances of returning to power.

During his remarks to the Hindu community leaders, Rahman also tried to reassure minority groups about their role and participation in Bangladesh’s democracy. By choosing the Janmashtami event as a platform, he aimed to underline inclusiveness and BNP’s commitment to ensuring that all communities are part of the national democratic process.

The gathering at the IEB auditorium reflected BNP’s ongoing attempts to build alliances and strengthen ties with different sections of society as the political landscape heats up before the election. Party leaders and supporters present at the event echoed Rahman’s concerns, arguing that the ruling establishment is determined to prevent BNP’s comeback at any cost.

Observers note that Rahman’s statements reflect the BNP’s strategy of positioning itself as the main alternative to the ruling Awami League while highlighting alleged undemocratic practices by the government. By portraying the ruling party as fearful of genuine electoral competition, BNP seeks to rally public opinion in its favor, especially among those dissatisfied with the current administration.

The speech also sheds light on BNP’s rejection of structural reforms, like PR, that the party perceives as distractions from the demand for a fair electoral process. Instead, Rahman insisted that the only viable path forward is a transparent and competitive election in which people’s votes are fully respected.

As the election approaches, Bangladesh’s political environment remains charged with accusations and counter-accusations. BNP’s leadership continues to frame the contest as a struggle for democracy itself, while government figures argue that stability and order are paramount. Tareq Rahman’s remarks serve as both a warning and a rallying cry, signaling the intensity of the political battle that lies ahead.