BNP in position to form government alone, Tarique Rahman tells Financial Times

Tarique Rahman, acting chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has said he is planning to return to the country very soon. In an interview with UK-based newspaper the Financial Times, he said, “We will certainly win. We are confident that BNP is in a position to form government alone. I believe the time has come to return.” The interview was published on Monday, October 6.

Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh’s next government will have to face challenges such as a weak economy, a garment sector hit by US tariffs, and strained relations with neighbouring India.

According to the Financial Times, many believe Tarique Rahman is the most likely candidate to become the next prime minister in the February election. Surveys show BNP currently holds the lead. The report also said that interim chief adviser and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has already barred the Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina from political activities.

In the interview, Tarique Rahman echoed Dr Yunus, saying the Awami League is an “autocratic party”. He said BNP is preparing to form government in alliance with other political groups, particularly those that emerged from last year’s student movement.

On the newly formed political party NCP, Tarique Rahman said, “We will welcome them into politics. They are young, and the future is theirs.”

Speaking about the economy, he said Bangladesh should not rely solely on garment exports but could become a supply hub for global online platforms such as Amazon, eBay and Alibaba.

On foreign policy, Tarique Rahman said his government would follow a “Bangladesh first” approach, replacing what he called the “one-sided” policy towards India under Sheikh Hasina.

He also said BNP would put an end to the politics of vengeance if it comes to power, claiming that the party has already expelled or punished around 7,000 members for retaliatory actions.

Asked whether the Awami League would be allowed to rejoin politics, he made no direct comment. Referring to ongoing cases against its top leaders, he said, “If they are convicted, how will the Awami League participate in the election?”

He added that if a new government is formed, efforts by the current interim administration to recover wealth smuggled abroad will continue.

A leaked US diplomatic cable in 2008 had described Tarique Rahman as a “symbol of kleptocratic government and violent politics”, notorious for “blatantly demanding bribes”. Responding to this, Tarique Rahman said, “Every government may have some flaws, but we fought against corruption. It was BNP that established the Anti-Corruption Commission in Bangladesh.”

He further claimed that misleading reports in the Bangladeshi media had shaped that US cable, adding, “All the cases against me have now been withdrawn.”