After a landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election, the BNP government has pledged to take a hard line against corruption, presenting clean governance as a central pillar of its new term.
From Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to senior ministers, the administration has repeatedly signalled that tackling corruption will be a top priority, as it seeks to rebuild public trust and strengthen transparency in state institutions.
Analysts, however, warn that the toughest test may lie within the ruling party itself. Addressing allegations and entrenched practices at home, they say, will be essential if the government is to demonstrate credibility and deliver on its promises.
Whether the new administration can turn its pledges into tangible reform may shape not only its political future but also public confidence in the country’s institutions, analysts say.
They point to recent remarks by Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam regarding allegations of extortion in the transport sector, in which he suggested that “collecting money from various transport operators based on mutual agreement is not extortion.”
Observers describe the comment as an early test of the government’s resolve — and a potential strain on its anti-corruption message.
Experts stress that the government and political parties must uphold a robust anti-corruption framework. A fully transparent system builds public trust, and a firm stance against corruption is essential for the government’s credibility.
Mamun Al Mostofa, a political science professor at the University of Dhaka, said politicians naturally seek to gain advantages from the system, while the opposition works to check or limit those efforts.
“This is the normal flow of democratic politics,” he added.
In his first remarks after taking the oath of office, Tarique Rahman said his government would prioritise restoring law and order and enforcing stricter anti-corruption measures.
In an address to the nation on Wednesday, he declared that the administration is “determined to uproot corruption at any cost to restore public peace and security.”
The same day, the first cabinet meeting of the BNP-led government was held under his leadership.
Afterwards, State Minister for Finance Zonaed Saki told reporters that the prime minister had sent a clear warning to all members of the executive.
“He has taken a very clear position on corruption,” Saki said. “No minister, state minister, or cabinet member can use their authority for corrupt purposes if he wants to maintain a clean government. His stance is strict and uncompromising.”
The message resonated across the cabinet. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said the ministry would be transformed into a corruption-free and syndicate-free institution.
Analysts note that the prime minister’s focus on dismantling entrenched networks frames corruption as a structural problem and sets an early benchmark for his leadership.
By emphasising internal accountability and sending a zero-tolerance message to the cabinet, the government positions itself as the starting point for reform. While the plan links a united cabinet, reform and anti-corruption efforts to overall state stability, success will depend on effective implementation in sectors with deeply rooted patronage networks.
BNP leaders and senior cabinet members have voiced similar commitments. Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, State Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said the government would act decisively to eliminate corruption wherever it occurs.
“There will be zero tolerance for corruption,” he added, noting that initiatives outlined in the BNP manifesto are already under way.
In a recent statement, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh, criticised comments made by Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam.
The minister told reporters that “collecting money from various transport operators based on mutual agreement is not extortion; money is only extortion if it is taken under compulsion.”
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the remarks revealed a “serious internal contradiction” that risked undermining the government’s declared stance against graft.
He noted that the comments came less than 48 hours after the prime minister had pledged decisive action to curb corruption. Statements of this kind, he argued, could erode public trust and weaken the credibility of the ruling party’s manifesto commitments.
He added that internal discipline and reform would be essential if the administration was to prevent individual leaders from damaging its broader anti-corruption agenda.
Failure to address such inconsistencies, he warned, could fuel public disappointment and make it harder for the government to sustain a coherent and credible message on tackling corruption.
