Tarique Rahman, who lived in London in self-exile for 17 years, has emerged as the new face of Bangladesh, with his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) bagging 209 out of 297 seats in the recently concluded national elections.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Tarique Rahman on Sunday met Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman and National Citizen Party leader Nahid Islam, two days before his party is set to form the next government in Bangladesh, marking a new chapter in Bangladesh politics, which has revolved mainly around the rivalry between Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and former BNP chief late Khaleda Zia. The BNP swept to power with a two-thirds majority with 49.97 per cent votes and 209 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami, which was opposed to the country’s 1971 independence from Pakistan, registered its best ever performance with 31.76 per cent votes and 68 seats.
Tarique Rahman visited the Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman at his residence along with the party’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamigir. Soon after, the BNP’s media wing released a photograph showing the two rival party leaders standing side by side with Shafiqur Rahman seen holding a bouquet to be handed over to Tarique Rahman.
“Following the historic landslide victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, BNP chairman Tarique Rahman today paid a courtesy visit to the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, at his residence,” the BNP posted on X. The meetings have been described as a “positive political beginning” in post-election Bangladesh.
What Jamaat, NCP Said?
The Jamaat said his visit to Shafiqur Rahman’s residential office “marks an important moment in our national political journey.” Jamaat welcomes “this engagement in a spirit of dialogue and responsibility,” the party said in a post on X that it hopes it signals “a new chapter of institutional maturity and mutual respect.”
“In our discussions, he (Tarique Rahman) reaffirmed that steps are being taken regarding incidents of post-election violence, including actions to address harm against opposition supporters and minority communities,” the post said.
“We will cooperate fully on matters of national interest, yet we will discharge our constitutional duty as a firm and principled opposition,” the Jamaat said, adding, “Where the government acts in the public interest, we will support. Where accountability is required, we will speak.”
The BNP leader Tarique Rahman also met Jamaat-ally National Citizen Party’s (NCP) convenor Nahid Islam later. Tarique Rahman went to the Islam’s residence, where the NCP leader welcomed the BNP chief with a bouquet of flowers, the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) said, quoting the BNP media cell.
Jamaat Challenges Bangladesh Poll Result
Earlier the same day, Jamaat had challenged the results of Bangladesh polls, demanding the Election Commission to hold recounting of votes in 32 constituencies where its candidates were “unfairly defeated.” The party also retracted a Facebook message acknowledging victory of its former ally the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the polls that were held on Thursday and results for which were declared Friday. The status of the complaint following the meeting is yet to be known.
