Warning his party men against complacency, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said the next national election will pose a much harder challenge to the party than any previous ones held in Bangladesh.

"It may be true that our main opponent has become weaker, but, even so, this election will be far tougher than any previous elections," Tarique said during a virtual discussion at a workshop held simultaneously in Khulna and Mymensingh yesterday.

"We are heading towards a very challenging election," he said, claiming that people, even 20 years ago, could vote without fear.

"If you compare the present situation with the 2001 election, you'll see that people's mindset has changed. People are now much more aware [of the situation]," he said, adding that social media has played a key role in bringing about the changes.

Tarique urged party members to remain cautious.

"If any leaders or activists around you have made mistakes, it is your responsibility as a leader to guide them onto the right path, make them aware [of the changed scenario]," he added.

"Colleagues, if anyone [of you] thinks that no one will find out about it [your misdeeds], that's a misconception. People find out," he warned.

He said BNP could only come to power if the party workers won people's trust.

"We haven't come to power yet. We don't know if we will. We can only achieve that if we earn the support of the people," he told party men.

Earlier, the Khulna city unit of the BNP brought out a procession celebrating the acquittal of Tarique in two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack.

Hundreds of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, led by the party's central Information Affairs Secretary Azizul Bari Helal, joined the procession starting from the KD Ghosh Road area.

Tarique has been living in exile in London for over one and a half decades.

BNP Standing Committee Member Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed yesterday said Tarique may return to the country before the next election, which Hafizuddin expects to be held in 2025.

"Tarique Rahman will return next year. We are anticipating elections during that time, and we hope he comes back before that," Hafizuddin said during a press briefing at his Gulshan residence.

"Tarique Rahman still has four cases against him. Party leaders and activists are very excited because the path to his return has become much smoother. We hope these cases will be resolved soon," he added.

Hafizuddin also expressed concern over law and order, high commodity prices, and political instability.

"The law and order situation has significantly deteriorated, and people are struggling to cope with skyrocketing prices," he said, blaming the "agents of the fallen Awami League government".

"We hear a lot from the interim government, but nothing about elections. It seems as though talking about elections by political parties is being considered as a crime," he added.