Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has announced that if his party is voted to power, the name “Bangladesh Rifles” (BDR)—a title deeply rooted in the history of the Great Liberation War—will be restored.
The BNP leader made these remarks during an exchange of views with former military officers at a hotel in the capital on Saturday night (February 7, 2026).
No Political Use of the Army
Addressing the upcoming 13th Parliamentary Election, Tarique Rahman emphasized that a BNP-led government would ensure the military remains professional and independent.
“If the BNP is elected by the people’s mandate, we will not allow the army to be used for political interests,” he stated. “The BNP has never engaged in activities that undermine the rights of the armed forces in the past, and it will not do so in the future.”
Sovereignty and National Interest
Highlighting the party’s ideological stance, the Chairman noted that the BNP has always functioned as a pro-Bangladesh force, dedicated to protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty.
The pledge to bring back the “BDR” name is seen as a significant move, as the force was renamed “Border Guard Bangladesh” (BGB) following the 2009 Pilkhana tragedy. Tarique Rahman argued that the original name carries historical weight and emotional significance for the nation.
