BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman spoke in an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle on a wide range of issues including the national election and post‑election situation, women’s empowerment, relations with neighbouring countries, and justice for enforced disappearances and killings.
In the interview with journalist Arafatul Islam, Tarique said he is hopeful that after the election, BNP will be able to form a government on its own. He also said that after returning to the country following 17 years in exile, balancing his mother’s death with election preparations was his biggest challenge.
On the question of how free and fair the election will be, he said, “We hope the election will be fair. People expect that, and we are optimistic.”
Asked about challenges after returning, he said, “After so many years, I saw expectations in people’s eyes. But five days after my return, my mother passed away. Naturally, that was very painful. Balancing the election commotion with personal grief was my greatest challenge.”
On whether the party has introduced new initiatives to attract youth, Tarique said, “In our manifesto we have plans and programmes for young people, the elderly, the country’s four million persons with disabilities, and for women, who make up half of Bangladesh’s population. These plans are not just for youth but for everyone, because the country must be built with everyone’s participation.”
On whether BNP would form a coalition government, Tarique said, “BNP will form the government on its own. Someone must remain in opposition for a balanced state and balanced government. If everyone joins the government, how will the country run?”
Relations with neighbouring countries
On relations with India, he said, “If we see any agreement that goes against the interests of Bangladesh, naturally there will be distance, regardless of which country it is with. I represent the people of my country.”
“Therefore, if there is any agreement between two countries that goes against the interests of my country, such distance can occur with anyone.”
Mentioning that BNP will maintain relations with different countries if it comes to power, he added, “We cannot live in isolation. The world is now called a global village. Therefore, our people will engage in trade and commerce with different countries. Our people will go abroad for jobs and various reasons. So wherever the interests of my country and my people are preserved, our relations with those countries will be good.”
Women empowerment
On women’s empowerment, he recalled Bangladesh first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia’s initiative to make education free for girls up to class twelve.
He said, “That was the first step in empowering women. If we form government, we will extend this opportunity to higher levels of education.”
He added every housewife, especially marginalised groups, would be supported through family cards to ensure self‑reliance, and he outlined various projects for women’s development.
Asked whether he had any message for women voters who expressed concern about the post‑election situation, he replied, “This is certainly not from us. In Bangladesh, some other political parties have created such perceptions among people, or among women, through their various statements or posts on social media.”
“We have always spoken about women’s empowerment. Because no matter what plans we make, when half of the country’s population are women, we cannot move the country forward by leaving them aside. We must move forward together with everyone.”
He added, “That is why we want to create further opportunities for their education so that they can easily pursue higher studies. We want to establish systems that enable them to become economically self‑reliant. In other words, we want to strengthen their confidence.”
Tarique Rahman said, “To ensure that women can work comfortably in the workplace, we will include facilities such as care centres and other necessary measures in our plans. We have also said that to make women’s travel safe, we will introduce electric buses for women in Dhaka and other major cities. These buses will be exclusively for women, and they will also be operated by women.”
Awami League politics and ban debate
On Awami League politics and the question of banning the party, he replied, “We do politics for the people, with their support. If people accept someone, no one can stop them. If they don’t, no amount of force can sustain them as seen on 5 August.”
Loan default allegations against BNP candidates
When asked about allegations of loan defaults among BNP candidates and the party’s anti‑corruption initiatives, he said, “Corruption and bank loan default are two different things.”
“Our leaders and businessmen were harassed, deprived of rights, and denied legitimate loans. In such circumstances, defaults were natural. But that has no link with corruption,” he added.
Justice for enforced disappearances
On justice for enforced disappearances and killings over the past 15–16 years, he said, “Our activists, other democratic parties, and even non‑political people have been victims.
In a civilised country, people cannot simply disappear or be killed without justice. According to the law, every citizen has the right to justice.”
