If BNP was so bad, why didn’t their two ministers resign: Tarique Rahman

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has questioned allegations of corruption and wrongdoing against his party, asking why two ministers from a rival political party remained in office during the BNP-led government from 2001 to 2006 if the party was indeed “so bad.”

He made the remarks while addressing an election rally at the Mymensingh District Circuit House ground on Tuesday (January 27).

Tarique Rahman said the two ministers in question were part of the BNP government and were well aware that former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia did not tolerate corruption. He claimed that international indices also showed the country was deeply mired in corruption under a “fugitive autocratic regime,” while Bangladesh began gradually emerging from entrenched corruption after the BNP assumed power in 2001.

“The fact that those two ministers continued in office proves that the accusations being made against the BNP are false,” he said.

Addressing party leaders and activists, Tarique urged voters to perform Tahajjud prayers before going to polling stations on election day. He also called on them to closely monitor the vote counting process to prevent ballot rigging.

Calling for votes for the BNP’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, on 12 February, he added that party supporters should return after the election with spades to take part in canal excavation programmes, saying he would personally join the initiative.