BNP rules out unity government with Jamaat

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman has ruled out the possibility of forming a “unity government” with Jamaat-e-Islami after the upcoming national election, saying such an arrangement would undermine the role of the opposition.

In an interview with Reuters on Friday (February 6), Tarique said forming a government with a political rival would blur democratic lines. “How can I form a government with my political opponent? Then who will play the role of the opposition?” he said.

He added that Jamaat-e-Islami should remain in the opposition, where he expects the party to act responsibly.

The February 12 parliamentary election is expected to see a contest mainly between BNP and the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, which has returned to active politics after a period of restriction. Although BNP and Jamaat governed together between 2001 and 2006, Tarique clearly dismissed any prospect of reviving that alliance.

Tarique expressed confidence that BNP would secure a parliamentary majority to form the next government.

On foreign policy, he said Bangladesh would avoid alignment with any single country, stressing balanced relations based on mutual interest, sovereignty, economic growth and youth employment.

Commenting on the political future of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s children, Tarique said anyone has the right to enter politics if accepted by the people.