BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has called on political actors to settle differences through dialogue, saying disagreements should not be allowed to divide the country.

He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while exchanging greetings with editors and journalists at a hotel in Banani.

Delivering his first formal speech since taking over as the party chairman, he said the country cannot afford to slip back to the political climate that existed before August 5.

He stressed that Bangladesh must stay on a democratic path and that accountability should guide both his own leadership and the party’s plans.

Tarique said the country had already seen how damaging political feuds could be during the previous government’s tenure. He expressed hope that the nation would take a step toward stability and democratic practice on February 12.

He added that without employment and economic progress, past achievements would lose their value. If voted into office, he said the BNP would work to raise living standards for women, farmers, expatriates and young people. He urged journalists to play a responsible role in what he described as a national rebuilding effort.

Reflecting on personal and national tragedies, he recalled the funerals of his parents and the unrest of August 5, 2024. These events, he said, reinforced why the country should not return to cycles of violence and revenge. He warned that such politics always leads to destructive outcomes.

“Differences will remain, but they should not turn into division,” he told the gathering, adding that many of the country’s challenges can be addressed through meaningful discussion. Despite frustration among citizens, he said he still sees hope because people are thinking about the future.

He urged political leaders to draw lessons from 1971, 1990 and August 5, arguing that honesty and a sense of responsibility are essential for safeguarding sovereignty.

Earlier in the day, he arrived at the venue shortly before 11 a.m. and walked table to table to greet journalists.

Among the senior BNP leaders present were Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Abdul Moin Khan, Mirza Abbas and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy.

Also attending were Vice Chairman Dr. Asaduzzaman Ripon, Joint Secretary General Dr. Humayun Kabir, advisor Dr. Mahdi Amin, Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, and several others from the party’s organisational and media wings.

Among the media representatives were Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age, Inam Ahmed, editor of The Business Standard, Matiur Rahman, editor of Manabzamin, Tasmima Hossain, editor of Dainik Ittefaq, Abdul Hai Sikder, editor of Dainik Jugantor and member of the BNP Advisory Council, KM Ziaul Haque, editor of Jago News, Ehsan Mahmud, former executive editor of Amader Somoy; Mahabubul Alam, director general of Bangladesh Television; Ruma Paul, senior journalist at Reuters, and Dweep Azad, chief news editor of Nagorik TV.

Around 300 to 350 media professionals from print, electronic and online outlets joined the event, including editors from major national newspapers and broadcasters.