BNP leader Tarique Rahman has vowed to steer Bangladesh in the “right direction” if his party is elected to form the next government, stressing the need to protect democratic norms and avoid a return to the political landscape that existed before Aug 5, 2024.
Speaking at a meeting with editors and journalists from newspapers, television, radio, news agencies and online platforms in Dhaka on Saturday, Tarique said Bangladesh must not go back to the period before the student-led mass uprising that toppled the Awami League government.
“We had problems in the past and we still have problems. We don’t want to go back to the pre-August 5 days. There’s no reason for us to do that,” he said.
He urged political parties and citizens to resolve differences through dialogue rather than confrontation, warning against allowing disagreements to turn into deep divisions.
“We have seen what happens when differences become divisions and the nation is split. That is why we hear so much frustration today. But even so, people are still thinking about the future and making plans for it, and that is a source of hope.”
SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY
The BNP chief emphasised that political change following the 2024 mass uprising must be anchored in accountability and strong democratic institutions.
“We must continue with democratic processes and institutions of accountability,” he said.
Tarique returned to Bangladesh on Dec 25, 2025, after spending more than 17 years in exile in the United Kingdom. Five days later, his mother and former prime minister Khaleda Zia died.
Ten days after her death, the BNP’s Standing Committee formally appointed Tarique party chairman. Sunday’s meeting with journalists marked his first public engagement since assuming the role.
POLICY PRIORITIES
Outlining broad policy priorities, Tarique identified education, healthcare, women’s rights, workplace conditions, and constitutional and legal reforms as areas requiring urgent attention.
He said these reforms must go hand in hand with protecting human dignity and ensuring the safety and security of ordinary citizens.
He also highlighted problems in essential public services, including healthcare and water supply, saying his party would work to address long-standing shortcomings in those sectors.
On public health, Tarique stressed the importance of prevention rather than treatment, saying that better awareness could reduce pressure on Bangladesh’s healthcare system.
“Awareness is key,” he said, adding that prevention was far more cost-effective than hospital care and treatment.
“It is important that we try to make people aware about food and diet that help prevent major illnesses.”
MEDIA’S WATCHDOG ROLE
Tarique also urged the media to play a strong watchdog role, encouraging critical reporting while cautioning against criticism for its own sake.
“The media should criticise when necessary, but not just for the sake of criticising,” he said.
He also called on news organisations to pay greater attention to marginal farmers, whom he said were often overlooked in public discourse.
“There are 15 million marginal farmers in Bangladesh who hardly get a chance to vent,” he said, urging journalists to give voice to one of the country’s most vulnerable communities.
JOBS, SKILLS AND OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT
Turning to broader economic issues, Tarique highlighted the role of vocational training in boosting overseas employment, saying better skills could significantly increase migrant workers’ earnings.
“Vocational training will help greatly and will add value to the workforce going abroad. Six to seven hundred thousand people go to the Middle East alone, and if they were better trained in language and other skills, they would make more money.”
He added that his party was looking at ways to repurpose underused IT parks to create opportunities for younger people, particularly in skills development and employment.
He also said that the BNP was exploring ways to repurpose underused IT parks to create opportunities for young people, particularly in skills development and employment.
‘A DESIRE FOR GUIDANCE’
Tarique noted that his recent visits outside Dhaka, including to Savar, had left him with the impression that people, especially the younger generation, were looking for direction and leadership.
“The new generation is looking for guidance — the new generation wants hope. And it’s not just the new generation — every generation is seeking some form of guidance. Those of us who are involved in politics may face many expectations, and it may not be possible to fulfil all of them,” he said.
“If we keep 1971, 1990 and August 5, 2024, before us and work for the country’s independence and sovereignty,” he said, “I firmly believe we will be able to guide the nation in the right direction,” he added.
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