BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has warned that sidelining the public in political negotiations could create conditions for the return of “a fugitive dictator.”

He acknowledged progress on reform talks among political parties but urged unresolved issues to be left to the people. “The people are the source of BNP’s power. We are working to strengthen the party through elections,” he said.

Rahman criticized the previous government for destroying voting rights and accountability, leaving nearly 30 million new voters disenfranchised. He vowed that BNP’s movement will continue until democratic rights are restored, warning that no process undermining peace and stability will be tolerated.