I will return home on December 25: Tarique Rahman

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has formally announced that he will return to Bangladesh on December 25, ending nearly 18 years in exile and injecting fresh momentum into the country’s pre-election political landscape.

Speaking at a Victory Day discussion meeting in London, held at last midnight (Bangladesh time), Rahman said, “Inshallah, I will return home on December 25.”

At the same time, he issued a clear appeal for restraint, urging supporters not to gather or create any disruption at the London airport during his departure. “There should be no commotion,” he said, calling for discipline and responsibility.

He also urged party supporters not to create any disturbance at the London airport and requested that no one gather there at the time of his departure.

With national elections expected in about two months, Tarique Rahman struck a confident yet measured tone, describing the moment as a test of leadership and preparedness. He said BNP’s priority is to engage voters with clarity and purpose, presenting a concrete and realistic plan rather than political rhetoric.

“I am not living in a dream; I am working with a plan,” he said, underlining his intent to lead with policy and strategy. Recalling the party’s past record under the leadership of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman said BNP had guided the country through critical crises and could do so again with public support. However, he cautioned that the road ahead would be “extremely difficult.”

Outlining BNP’s 31-point reform and development agenda, Tarique Rahman highlighted a series of welfare-focused initiatives aimed at immediate and visible impact. Among them is a microchip-enabled “Family Card” for underprivileged households, to be issued in the name of female heads of families, and a dedicated “Farmer Card” to support the agricultural sector.

In education, he proposed expanded teacher training, long-term investment in nurturing future educators from among meritorious students, and greater emphasis on co-curricular, sports, and cultural activities. He also announced plans to relaunch the children’s television programme Kuri with a stronger focus on sports and holistic development.

Tarique Rahman said a BNP-led government would prioritise preventive healthcare and introduce public-private partnerships in the health sector. He claimed the benefits of these initiatives would begin reaching citizens within three to six months.

Addressing expatriates, he outlined plans to create structured language-learning opportunities, while also acknowledging their role in democratic and anti-authoritarian movements. “Only through unity can we build a truly accountable state,” he said.

He also unveiled proposals aimed at strengthening the digital and creative economy, including government-backed support for content creators, small shared workspaces, free Wi-Fi facilities, and the establishment of vocational training institutes.

The announcement brings clarity to weeks of speculation surrounding Tarique Rahman’s return. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had earlier indicated December 25 as the likely date, but Tarique Rahman’s own confirmation now places the issue firmly at the center of national attention.

The meeting was chaired by UK BNP Convener Abul Kalam Azad and moderated by Member Secretary Khosruzzaman Khosru, with BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Mahidur Rahman and other senior leaders also addressing the gathering.