Voting for general elections is taking place in Bangladesh today on 12th February. This may be a general election, but it is going to be the most special election in the political history of Bangladesh. In the absence of Awami League, BNP is being seen as the largest and oldest party of Bangladesh. BNP means Bangladesh Nationalist Party which is one of the old parties of Bangladesh.
Khaleda Zia became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the first time in 1991 from BNP. For the second time in the year 2001, Khaleda Zia of BNP formed the government in Bangladesh. Although Jamaat-e-Islami also joined this government, but since 2006, Bangladesh Nationalist Party was never able to come back to power.
Everything changed in Bangladesh due to Hasina’s coup
Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League had a bumper victory in the general elections of 2009, 2014, 2018 and 2024. While BNP made allegations of rigging in the 2014 elections, BNP boycotted the 2024 general elections, but now after the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, everything has changed in Bangladesh. Now the electoral ban has been imposed on Awami League and BNP is definitely visible as a big party. In the general elections of 2026, the contest is visible only between Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami.
Tariq Rahman returned to Dhaka from London after a long time
Before Sheikh Hasina’s coup, Khaleda Zia was in jail and her son Tariq Rahman was living in exile in London, but after Sheikh Hasina left the country, Khaleda Zia was released from jail and her son Tariq Rahman also returned to Dhaka from London after a long time. Tariq Rehman reached Bangladesh at a time when his mother Khaleda Zia was very ill and admitted in the hospital. Tariq Rahman took command of the party as soon as he reached Dhaka and started preparing for the general elections. Khaleda Zia died just a few days after the election was announced.
The challenge before Tariq Rahman is that after being away from Bangladesh for so long, how much will he be able to understand the party and how much will he be able to catch the pulse of the people. It is certain that Tariq Rehman will get the benefit of lack of options. It can also be said that the sympathy factor of mother Khaleda Zia’s demise will also be with Tariq Rehman, but staying away from one’s country for 17-18 years is a long time. If an entire generation changes during this period, will Tariq Rahman really be able to hear the voice of the people of Bangladesh? Will the people of Bangladesh be able to trust Tariq Rahman?
BNP’s election promises
Tariq Rehman left no stone unturned in his election campaign. Tariq Rehman has given the slogan in this election – Bangladesh Before All. He is contesting elections from 2 seats in Bangladesh and has also released the election manifesto. BNP is contesting on 292 seats out of 300. 8 seats have been given to allies. Tariq is also BNP’s prime ministerial candidate. During the elections itself, delegations and diplomats from all over the world met Tariq Rehman. Some big election promises made by Tariq Rehman-
1. Will implement the July National Charter. (This was the biggest demand of the student movement)
2. Will make the true history of the liberation movement a part of the curriculum.
3. Will create the post of Vice President in Bangladesh.
4. Any person will be able to hold the post of Prime Minister for a maximum of 10 years.
5. Establishment of a 100-member Upper House in the Parliament.
6. Formation of an independent inquiry commission to investigate the murders and violence that took place in July 2024.
7. Committed to cooperation and equality of friendship with neighboring countries.
8. Will strengthen cooperation with Muslim countries.
The biggest challenge before Tariq Rehman is the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance, because the new youth party NCP also has an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami. In such a situation, the challenge before Tariq Rehman is double. On one hand, the youth can go with NCP, while on the other hand, those who are staunch supporters of Islamic rule can go with Jamaat-e-Islami.
Keeping an eye on relations with India
Everyone’s eyes are on Tariq Rehman regarding relations with India also. The general public of Bangladesh completely wants that whichever government is formed in Bangladesh, it should maintain very cordial and good relations with India. The people of Bangladesh look at India with great respect and honor. The people of Bangladesh always keep relations with India much ahead of any other country. Recently, when Tariq Rehman’s mother Khaleda Zia passed away, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences. India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Dhaka and attended the funeral of Khaleda Zia.
Now it remains to be seen whether Khaleda Zia’s son Tariq Rehman will be able to bring BNP to power in Bangladesh after 2006? Both this election and the election results are going to prove very important for the political future of Tariq Rehman and BNP. Not only the future of BNP but the future of Awami League is also hidden in the victory or defeat of Tariq Rehman.
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