After nearly eight years, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has entered a new phase under the leadership of a directly elected party chairman, with Tarique Rahman formally assuming full responsibility.
On January 9, Tarique Rahman was relieved of his duties as acting chairman and took charge as the party’s chairman, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the BNP under a third-generation leader of the Zia family.
Since assuming full responsibility, he has remained actively engaged in organisational and political activities, with many believing he may play a key regulatory role in national politics, particularly in the run-up to the upcoming elections.
Politicians and analysts from other parties view Tarique Rahman’s elevation to the chairmanship of a major political party as a natural progression rather than a sudden or exceptional development. They note that he rose through sustained leadership, endured imprisonment and political persecution, and spent many years in exile.
Tarique Rahman has long been associated with the political ideals of his father, late president Ziaur Rahman, and his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia. He entered politics under his mother’s guidance and remained involved in party activities from the grassroots level.
Many politicians now expect him to play a role in strengthening democracy and justice, contributing to the building of a new Bangladesh while upholding the spirit of the Liberation War.
Former general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Ruhin Hossain Prince told Dhaka Tribune that while BNP’s past governance record is well known, Tarique Rahman’s assumption of full leadership could introduce a new dimension to national politics.
“We need to observe what kind of politics the BNP practises under his leadership,” he said, adding that in the past the party had shared power with anti-independence forces. “I hope they will not repeat that. They have spoken repeatedly about consolidating the spirit of the Liberation War and have taken a stance against repealing the 1972 constitution. Only then can his leadership be evaluated differently.”
‘The guardian has returned’
Since 2018, Tarique Rahman had been steering the party as acting chairman while Khaleda Zia was unable to perform her duties due to imprisonment and illness. During that period, party leaders and activists felt the absence of a central figure physically present in the country, despite party activities continuing without disruption.
Many leaders remained confident that Tarique Rahman would eventually return. That expectation materialised when he returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after 17 years in exile, following the political changes triggered by the July movement.
On January 9, the BNP’s National Standing Committee unanimously appointed him chairman, formally ending his tenure as acting chairman.
Legacy of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia
BNP was founded on September 1, 1978, by then president Ziaur Rahman, who introduced multiparty democracy to Bangladesh. Following his assassination in a military coup on May 30, 1981, the party briefly faced a leadership vacuum.
That gap was filled when Khaleda Zia joined BNP on January 3, 1982. Rising rapidly from a political novice, she became senior vice-chairperson in March 1983 and was elected party chairperson unopposed on May 10, 1984. Under her leadership, BNP navigated multiple political challenges and remained under her firm control until 2018.
Tarique Rahman: From grassroots to chairman
Tarique Rahman began his political journey by becoming a BNP primary member in Bogra in 1988. He became more actively involved during the 1991 election under his mother’s guidance and gradually established his own political standing.
His organisational role became more visible during the 2001 national election, after which BNP formed the government. In 2002, he was elected senior joint secretary general, and later vice-chairman at the party’s 2009 council.
Despite remaining abroad due to political circumstances following the 1/11 period, he continued to lead the party from exile.
Following Khaleda Zia’s death on December 30, the party formally entrusted him with the chairmanship on January 9.
Call for unity and democratic continuity
After returning to the country on December 25, Tarique Rahman said: “Dear Bangladesh, we have a plan—for the people and for the country.” He called for unity and outlined a vision for building a new Bangladesh.
Following Khaleda Zia’s death, leaders from various political parties, professionals and diplomats visited his Gulshan office to offer condolences, during which he engaged with them warmly.
A day after assuming office, Tarique Rahman exchanged views with senior media professionals at a meeting held at a hotel in Banani. Addressing questions, he said: “We have many challenges ahead and differences of opinion. These must be discussed and debated. But differences must not divide the nation. The democratic process must continue at any cost.”
He also requested journalists not to address him with honorifics such as “honourable.”
Expectations from political quarters
Political leaders across parties have congratulated Tarique Rahman on assuming BNP leadership, describing it as a development that could bring a new dynamic to national politics.
Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, told Dhaka Tribune that it is natural for Tarique Rahman to carry forward his mother’s political legacy.
“I hope he will work to advance democracy and implement the vision he has spoken about for the country,” he said.
Former 12-party alliance spokesperson and BNP candidate Shahadat Hossain Selim said public expectations are high. “As a party supporter, I would urge him to keep the party united and maintain discipline in the chain of command. If necessary, he will need to be firm,” he added.
