Tarique Rahman’s return will strengthen the practice of multi-party democracy: Nahid Islam

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party, NCP, has said the return of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman will further consolidate the practice of multi-party democracy in the country.

He made the comment in a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday afternoon, December 25.

Nahid Islam said Tarique Rahman has returned home after 17 years. The restoration of a Bangladeshi citizen and political leader’s right to return to his own country is a positive reflection of the democratic struggle.

He said Tarique Rahman and his family were subjected to state repression due to political differences and were forced to live in exile for a long time. The mass uprising, achieved through the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs, created a context in which he and his family were able to return home.

The NCP leader said they want a Bangladesh based on democratic values, where no political leader will face state repression in the future due to dissenting views.

Nahid Islam said that after breaking free from a politically stifled environment of the past decade and a half, the primary goal on the path towards a free Bangladesh is to ensure the rule of law and political rights for every citizen.

He added that they believe Tarique Rahman’s return will further strengthen the practice of multi-party democracy in the country. In the new political reality, building a culture of coexistence and healthy competition is now the main challenge.

He also welcomed Tarique Rahman back to the country and expressed hope that his participation would be meaningful in shaping Bangladesh’s democratic future.