BNP’s Tarique Rahman to return for historic vote

[ad_1] Mir Sabbir Editor, BBC Information Bangla

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/b949/live/6d335b10-a2c3-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/b949/live/6d335b10-a2c3-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/b949/live/6d335b10-a2c3-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/b949/live/6d335b10-a2c3-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/b949/live/6d335b10-a2c3-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/b949/live/6d335b10-a2c3-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/b949/live/6d335b10-a2c3-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/b949/live/6d335b10-a2c3-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="EPA People gather around the residence of Bangladeshi prime minister in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 05 August 2024. " class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> EPA The elections would be the first because the mass protests that unseated Sheikh Hasina

The person tipped to be the following prime minister of Bangladesh has ended months of hypothesis by saying he'll return from twenty years abroad to battle landmark elections.

"The time has come, God prepared, I'll return quickly," Tarique Rahman, the Bangladesh Nationalist Get together's appearing chairman, instructed BBC Bangla in his first face-to-face interview for practically 20 years.

The BNP is the frontrunner within the vote due in February and Rahman, the son of its ailing chief, is predicted to guide the nation if it wins.

Many view it as one of the vital consequential in Bangladesh's historical past after mass protests ousted three-time PM Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Her Awami League social gathering is unlikely to be allowed to participate.

In line with UN investigators, as much as 1,400 folks died within the 2024 unrest, which included a lethal crackdown on student-led demonstrations that ousted Hasina.

Hasina, who fled to India, is on trial in absentia for crimes towards humanity alleged to have been dedicated in the course of the demonstrations.

Since she was toppled, many have questioned why Rahman was nonetheless in London, the place he has lived since 2008.

"Possibly on account of some private causes, the return has not occurred but. However I believe the time has come," he stated.

"That is an election for which individuals had been ready, I can't preserve myself away throughout this time."

The Awami League crushed the BNP, its long-term rival, and different opponents throughout 15 years of rule. Rahman, who was sentenced in quite a few circumstances in absentia, was cleared of all fees after Hasina was ousted.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/5805/live/cfcd8aa0-a2c0-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/5805/live/cfcd8aa0-a2c0-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5805/live/cfcd8aa0-a2c0-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/5805/live/cfcd8aa0-a2c0-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/5805/live/cfcd8aa0-a2c0-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/5805/live/cfcd8aa0-a2c0-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/5805/live/cfcd8aa0-a2c0-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5805/live/cfcd8aa0-a2c0-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Tarique Rahman" class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> If the BNP wins, Tarique Rahman is predicted to guide Bangladesh

The interim authorities, led by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, has banned the Awami League from political exercise till the trial of its leaders is over. Each Hasina and her social gathering reject all the fees towards them.

Though the BNP has criticised the interim authorities over the previous 12 months for not asserting an election date, they seem to share related views on the Awami League's participation.

"Those that ordered killing and torture, they have to be dropped at justice," stated Tarique Rahman.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/a45f/live/df443630-a2c2-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/a45f/live/df443630-a2c2-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/a45f/live/df443630-a2c2-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/a45f/live/df443630-a2c2-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/a45f/live/df443630-a2c2-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/a45f/live/df443630-a2c2-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/a45f/live/df443630-a2c2-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/a45f/live/df443630-a2c2-11f0-8b38-691926760cd4.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="AFP Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) shout slogans during a rally demanding a democratic transition through an election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tuesday, Sept.17, 2024. (Photo by Mehedi Hasan / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MEHEDI HASAN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)" class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> AFP The BNP is seen because the frontrunner and the Awami League is unlikely to participate

With its principal rival absent, many speculate the BNP may have a snug lead within the election – and if the social gathering wins, Rahman, 58, is predicted to be the following prime minister. His mom, former PM Khaleda Zia, who's 80, is unwell and unlikely to take an lively half within the marketing campaign.

Nevertheless, Jamaat-e-Islami, the nation's largest Islamist social gathering, has seemingly gained some floor during the last 12 months. Its scholar wing received majorities in two public college scholar union elections for the primary time, energising the social gathering.

Rahman thinks the outcomes of the scholar union will not have an implication for the overall election. Their proportion of votes in earlier elections was a lot smaller in comparison with the 2 main events.

Jamaat-e-Islami is now in talks with another Islamist political events to type an alliance, however Rahman says he isn't nervous about this prospect.

"The BNP confronted competitors within the election earlier than. There may be nothing to be nervous about," he stated.

Within the early 2000s, the BNP and Jamaat shaped a coalition authorities, however have just lately pursued impartial paths.

In the meantime, a brand new social gathering led by scholar leaders of the rebellion, the Nationwide Citizen's Get together (NCP), failed to achieve a lot assist within the scholar union elections. For a youth-led social gathering, dropping on their dwelling turf has raised questions on their prospects within the nationwide election.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/7ea6/live/5d4af760-a2c0-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/7ea6/live/5d4af760-a2c0-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/7ea6/live/5d4af760-a2c0-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/7ea6/live/5d4af760-a2c0-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/7ea6/live/5d4af760-a2c0-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/7ea6/live/5d4af760-a2c0-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/7ea6/live/5d4af760-a2c0-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/7ea6/live/5d4af760-a2c0-11f0-928c-71dbb8619e94.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia waves to activists as she arrives for a rally in Dhaka in this file picture taken January 20, 2014. REUTERS/Andrew Biraj//File Photo" class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Reuters Khaleda, now 80, is sick and unlikely to play an lively function within the marketing campaign

Relations with Bangladesh's largest neighbour, India, have been tense since Hasina discovered shelter in Delhi.

Bangladeshi courts have issued a warrant for her arrest, and Bangladesh has sought her extradition. India has but to formally react.

The connection with India is a delicate subject in Bangladeshi politics. The nation shares the overwhelming majority of its land border with India. Political events, together with the BNP, have constantly criticised Delhi for its assist for the Awami League, together with the three controversial elections held throughout its rule.

"In the event that they [India] need to displease Bangladeshi folks by sheltering a dictator, then we've nothing to do about it," stated Rahman.

A central subject within the election is more likely to be the promise of democratic reform and freedom of speech. The Awami League authorities was extensively criticised for suppressing dissent, together with a court docket order that banned the media from publishing speeches by Tarique Rahman.

He instructed the BBC he would guarantee such restrictions are usually not repeated if he involves energy.

The interim authorities is trying to construct a consensus amongst political events on a set of reforms, however progress has been gradual. For a lot of Bangladeshis, notably the younger individuals who led final 12 months's rebellion, making certain fundamental freedoms shall be a key take a look at for the nation's subsequent authorities.