Dhaka, Jan 5 (NationPress) The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has declared that its current acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, is set to officially succeed as the party's chairman within a few days, as reported by local media.

During a press conference in Sylhet district on Sunday evening, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed this announcement.

He mentioned that the chairperson position has been vacant since the passing of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on December 30, 2025, and that her son Tarique will take on this pivotal role.

Fakhrul also highlighted the party's intention to reinvigorate its election campaign from Sylhet, adhering to the tradition of campaigning in this region.

“Despite media concerns regarding the upcoming polls, the BNP remains resolute in its demand for elections,” the Daily Star quoted the BNP leader.

Criticizing the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus, Fakhrul remarked, "The past year under their governance has witnessed a surge in mob violence, which has severely undermined democracy."

He asserted that this troubling trend could be countered through united resistance, emphasizing the necessity to restore a democratic framework via free and fair elections.

Meanwhile, BNP allies expressed concern over the party’s inability to prevent its leaders from contesting the national elections in seats designated for allies, despite clear warnings from the party's leadership.

In a conversation with the Daily Star, numerous alliance leaders indicated that BNP members running as independent candidates in shared constituencies are jeopardizing the seat-sharing agreement for the February 2026 elections.

Tensions have reportedly escalated in the Bogura-2 constituency, where Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna accused a BNP candidate of causing significant issues during the nomination process.

“On nomination day, not only did the BNP candidate oppose my nomination, but also district BNP leaders and nearly all leaders from legal organizations, alongside lawyers from Dhaka, created a mob to challenge my candidacy,” he stated.

Similar allegations emerged in the Jhenaidah-4 constituency, where Rashed Khan, who joined BNP after resigning as general secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, accused supporters of a BNP rebel candidate of threats and intimidation.

At least nine BNP leaders have reportedly been expelled for submitting nomination papers in constituencies assigned to alliance partners.

With elections scheduled for February 12, Bangladesh is experiencing an increase in political tensions as internal strife within the BNP widens the rift with its allies.