BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has ruled out the possibility of forming a unity government with Jamaat-e-Islami after the elections. In an interview with Reuters on Friday , he said his party will be able to form a government on its own. He is confident about this.
For many years, the main rivalry in Bangladeshi politics was between the BNP and the Awami League. But after the 24th coup, that familiar scene has changed. The Election Commission has suspended the registration of the Awami League after the government imposed restrictions on its activities. As a result, the party that ruled the country for the past decade and a half is out of the elections this time. In this reality, the main rivalry in the 13th parliamentary election on February 12 will be between the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami , who jointly governed the government from 2001 to 2006. News bdnews.com.
Reuters wrote , Jamaat is interested in forming a consensus government again to restore the overall stability of the country. When asked about this, Tarique Rahman said , “How will I form a government with my political opponent ? Then who will be the opposition party ?” He said , “I don’t know how many seats they will get. But if they are in the opposition , then I hope they will be a good opposition party.”
The election manifesto that BNP announced on Friday states that if it wins the election, it will form a public welfare and inclusive government with political parties participating in the struggle to restore democracy. However, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had earlier said that they do not want Jamaat in that government .
Reuters, citing BNP leaders , wrote that they are confident of winning more than two – thirds of the seats in the 300-seat parliament . BNP has fielded candidates in 292 seats , with its allies contesting the rest. Tarique Rahman, who declined to give a specific number , said in an interview that ” we are confident that we will have enough seats to form a government.”
Although almost all polls before the election predicted a victory for the BNP, there are also signs of a strong challenge from the Jamaat-led alliance, which also includes the student leaders of the coup, the National Congress Party.
What will happen to BNP’s foreign policy ? Reuters writes that Bangladesh ‘s relations with India have become increasingly bitter after the court granted asylum to Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina, despite her death sentence for crimes against humanity in suppressing the movement. This has created an opportunity for China to increase investment and political contacts in Bangladesh.
Asked whether BNP will shift away from India and turn to China if it wins , Tarique Rahman said , “Bangladesh needs partners who are capable of ensuring economic growth for about 175 million people. If we come to power, we will have to create employment for the youth. We will have to bring business to the country so that jobs are created and people can have a better life.”
Will the Rohingyas stay ?: Despite its own problems, Bangladesh has been sheltering about 1.2 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. The interim government said last year that Bangladesh does not have the capacity to provide assistance to these refugees indefinitely. Bangladesh is also seeking the help of the international community in their repatriation. Tarique Rahman has also expressed his opinion in favor of sending the Rohingyas back to their country , but of course, ensuring their safety.