Dhaka, Dec. 9 -- Tarique Rahman has said the nation's independence, sovereignty, and democracy now rest squarely upon the shoulders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Speaking virtually from London at an event on Tuesday, organised by the BNP at the Krishibid Institution auditorium in Dhaka's Farmgate, he said failure to unite the public would cast doubt on the country's very existence.

Tarique urged party members to remember that it now carries responsibility for safeguarding independence, sovereignty, and democratic space.

He said if the BNP can succeed in rallying the public, democracy will return, conspiracies can be resisted, and progress in areas from economic stability to women's rights and youth employment can gradually...