Staff Reporter :
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has said the return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman after 17 years will further consolidate the practice of multi-party democracy in the country.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, NCP Convener Nahid Islam described Tarique Rahman’s homecoming as a positive reflection of the country’s democratic struggle.
He said the restoration of a Bangladeshi citizen and political leader’s right to return to his own land carries deep democratic significance.
Nahid said Tarique Rahman and his family had faced state repression due to political dissent, which forced him into prolonged exile.
He added that the mass uprising, achieved through the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs, created the political context that made their return possible. The NCP leader said the party envisions a Bangladesh rooted in democratic values, where no political leader in the future will be subjected to state persecution for holding dissenting views.
He noted that after a decade and a half of what he called a stifled political environment, the country is now moving towards a free Bangladesh, with the rule of law and political rights for every citizen as the primary goal.
Nahid said the party believes Tarique Rahman’s return will strengthen the culture of multi-party democracy and make coexistence and healthy political competition a central challenge in the new political reality.
He welcomed Tarique Rahman home and expressed hope that his participation would meaningfully shape the country’s democratic future.
The NCP has also described Tarique Rahman’s return as a positive development for electoral politics.
Speaking to BBC Bangla, party Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain said there had been widespread uncertainty over whether the election would take place even after the announcement of a schedule.
In that context, he said, Tarique Rahman’s return has helped remove doubts surrounding the election.
Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adeeb said public attention would now focus on the role Tarique Rahman plays in national politics beyond partisan boundaries.
He noted that while Tarique Rahman led his party from exile, how he now engages in national politics will be a significant issue going forward.
