Bangladesh belongs to people from all walks of life, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, and they want to regain their democratic rights, said Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman on landing in Dhaka after 17 years of self-exile.
Addressing the BNP supporters at Dhaka on his arrival on Thursday, Rahman urged party workers to remain patient and pray for the health of his mother, former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia. Rahman's arrival has energised party workers ahead of the crucial general elections on February 12.
60-year-old Rahman has emerged as the leading contender for prime ministership in the polls, even as the country's Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, has been trying to throw a stiff competition to the BNP in the polls.
Addressing supporters, Rahman said, "Agents of various dominant powers are still engaged in conspiracies. We must remain patient. We have to exercise caution," the Daily Star reported.
"Today, the people of Bangladesh want to regain their right to speak. They want to get back their democratic rights. The time has come for all of us to build the country together," Rahman said. The BNP leader said Bangladesh "belongs to people of the hills and the plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians". "We want to build a safe Bangladesh, where every woman, man, and child can leave home and return safely," he added.
Referring to the assassination of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman bin Hadi, Rahman said the young would lead the country in future and Hadi fought to regain the economic rights of Bangladesh. Invoking Martin Luther King Jr's historic "I have a dream" speech, Tarique said, "I have a plan" and they would together build Bangladesh.
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BNP has emerged as the forerunner to capture power in the February polls as former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party has been barred from contesting the election.
Jamaat-e-Islami, the BNP's coalition partner during its 2001-2006 tenure in power, has emerged as its main rival in the upcoming polls after the interim government blocked Awami League's participation under the country's tough Anti-Terrorism Act.
On arrival, Rahman, in a phone conversation, thanked the interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, for the arrangements made for his security as well as for his homecoming events. Around 4,000 army personnel, paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police in riot gear and plainclothes were deployed in Dhaka to ensure Rahman's security.
