BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has said that although certain circumstances have delayed his return to Bangladesh, the “time to return has come.”
He added that he would be back in the country soon and remain among the people during the upcoming national election.
In an interview with BBC Bangla, published on Monday (October 6), Tarique said, “Physically, I may be in Britain, but mentally and emotionally I have been in Bangladesh for the past 17 years.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to participating in the election atmosphere, saying, “The kind of election people want will take place. How can I stay away during such a time? I will be with the people—among the people—during the election.”
Addressing the July uprising, Tarique dismissed claims that he was its mastermind. “I do not see myself as the mastermind of the July movement,” he said. “No individual or party was behind it. The true masterminds were the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh.”
Tarique reiterated BNP’s long-standing position that “the sooner elections are held, the sooner stability will return to the country.”
He added, “BNP believes that if the national election had taken place six months earlier, many of the crises the country faced could have been avoided. Even if belatedly, the government seems to have realized this.”
Tarique also said that while BNP initially wanted elections to be held by December, the interim government is planning to organize them by February. “We want to have confidence that the government will take all necessary steps gradually to ensure the election is held,” he said.
On whether the BNP will contest the polls alone or as part of an alliance, Tarique explained that around 64 political parties had taken to the streets during the past autocratic regime. “We tried to work together as much as possible,” he said. “When we first presented our 31-point plan for state restructuring in 2016, it was solely a BNP initiative. Later, we refined it into the Vision 2020 framework and eventually developed it into 27 points. In consultation with our political allies, we updated it again to 31 points—because those who stood beside us in the movement deserve to be part of rebuilding the state.”
Asked about Khaleda Zia’s role in the next election, he said, “If her physical condition allows, she will certainly have some role to play.”
On whether the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) could influence national politics, Tarique responded, “Student politics and national politics are two separate arenas. Figures like Manna Bhai, who served as DUCSU vice president twice and is far more experienced than I am, also made this clear. So I don’t see any particular reason to think otherwise.”
Regarding Jamaat-e-Islami, Tarique said, “If any party operates within the recognized rules and laws of Bangladesh, it has every right to do politics. BNP has always believed in multi-party democracy, and we view the issue from that perspective.”
When asked about the Awami League, Tarique said, “If the party or its members have committed any wrongdoing, they will be tried under the laws of the country. The law will decide their fate.”
