Khaleda's son Tariq Rahman returns amid turmoil in Bangladesh; what are his plans?

News Topical, Digital Desk : Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are celebrating the return of Khaleda Zia's son, Tarique Rahman, to the country after 17 years. This has shifted attention to the policies the party may adopt under his leadership.

The BNP is considered the frontrunner in the upcoming elections. If the party wins, Rahman is expected to assume the country's highest political office and will face the difficult task of leading Bangladesh through a period of political, economic, and institutional turmoil.

What is Rahman's plan for Bangladesh?

Rahman has outlined his plan to govern through numerous speeches and public statements. The BNP plans to give him a rousing welcome. On December 27, Rahman is scheduled to complete his voter registration and National Identity Card (NID) formalities, a procedural step that has both administrative and symbolic significance.

Rahman has clearly stated his vision for foreign policy under a BNP-led government. In May, while stressing the need for elections and institutional reforms, Rahman questioned Muhammad Yunus' legitimacy to make long-term foreign policy decisions without an electoral mandate.

foreign policy

Explaining his party's worldview, Rahman stated that Bangladesh's national interest would come before all external considerations. He made it clear that Dhaka would not be closely aligned with either Rawalpindi or New Delhi. At a large rally in Dhaka's Nayapaltan area, he declared, "Neither Delhi nor Pindi – Bangladesh first."

This stance is a stark departure from the path taken by the current interim leadership. Yunus has pursued a foreign policy markedly different from that of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina cultivated close ties with India, while balancing Bangladesh's relations with China and maintaining distance from Pakistan. In contrast, Yunus has advocated closer ties with Islamabad, a shift that many see as costing India-Bangladesh's historically close relationship.

law & Order

Rahman's public message specifically addressed the issue of law and order. He warned BNP leaders and supporters to remain vigilant, saying that difficult times lie ahead. Rahman said that there are signs of anarchy in various parts of the country and that some groups are trying to incite unrest. "Everyone should remain vigilant," he said.

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