BNP confident in forming govt alone: Tarique tells Deutsche Welle

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has said he is confident his party will be able to form the government on its own after tomorrow's (12 February) election, expressing optimism about both the outcome and the conduct of the polls.

During an interview with Deutsche Welle, he also spoke about electoral prospects, political alliances, women's empowerment, relations with neighbouring countries, and justice for enforced disappearances and killings.

He noted that returning to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, while coping with his mother's death and preparing for the election, had been his biggest recent challenge.

Regarding the possibility of forming a unity or national government with Jamaat, Tarique said the BNP was aiming to secure a mandate strong enough to govern independently.

He said, "We are confident that, Insha'Allah, we will get the verdict of the people of Bangladesh. We will be able to form the government single-handedly."

He added that a functioning democracy required a strong opposition, saying that if everyone joined the government, "how will the country run?"

On the national election and referendum scheduled for 12 February, Tarique said the party expected the polls to be conducted fairly.

"We hope that the election will be fair. That is also what the people expect. We are optimistic," he said.

Addressing criticism that the election might lack participation due to the absence of the Awami League, which has been banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act, Tarique described the issue as political in nature.

He said politics depended on public support, adding that no one accepted by the people could be held back, while those rejected by voters could not hold on to power through force, citing 5 August as an example.

Responding to concerns raised by Transparency International Bangladesh and other organisations about alleged loan defaulters among BNP candidates, Tarique said corruption and loan default were separate matters.

"Corruption and being in debt or being a bank defaulter are two different things," he said.

He argued that many party activists and businesspeople had faced legal cases and harassment under the previous government, which disrupted their businesses and limited access to legitimate bank loans.

As a result, he said, some had become defaulters, but maintained that this did not equate to corruption.

He reiterated that the party remained confident about the election and its prospects, expressing hope that voters would deliver a clear mandate.