Will mend fragile economy, reform state, Tarique says unveiling election manifesto
It sets targets to transform Bangladesh into an upper-middle-income country by 2034 and build a $1 trillion economy
The BNP has unveiled its election manifesto, setting out an ambitious plan to rebuild what it describes as a fragile economy and overhaul the state through wide-ranging political, administrative and economic reforms.
At the centre of the manifesto is a pledge to fight corruption, restore the rule of law and ensure accountability across state institutions, which the party says are essential to economic recovery and democratic governance.
Unveiling the manifesto today (6 February) at a city hotel in the capital, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said no development plan could succeed without tackling corruption and enforcing the rule of law.
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"Both as an individual and as a political activist, I believe that without taking strict action against corruption, and without ensuring the rule of law and accountability, it is impossible to implement any plan successfully," he said.
The manifesto was launched under the slogan "Shobar Agey Bangladesh" (Bangladesh Before All) and the banner "Korbo Kaj, Gorbo Desh" (We will work, we will build the nation).
It sets targets to transform Bangladesh into an upper-middle-income country by 2034 and build a $1 trillion economy.
Tarique said if BNP wins the national election scheduled for 12 February and forms the government, fighting corruption, establishing the rule of law and ensuring accountability would be its top priorities.
"Under any circumstances, we will give the highest importance to these matters," he said.
The party also promised free school uniforms and Wi-Fi for students, tax exemptions for private universities, compulsory third-language education, and free education for girls up to the postgraduate level.
The 51-point manifesto is divided into five chapters and outlines what the party describes as a comprehensive roadmap for governance, economic reform and nation-building.
State reform, accountability
As part of its state reform agenda, BNP has pledged to strengthen transparency and accountability by appointing an ombudsman. The manifesto also commits to ensuring justice for all human rights violations, including those linked to the July-August 2024 mass uprising.
Under its state reform plans, the party aims, in addition to its 31-point reform agenda, to implement the July National Charter, prevent the recurrence of fascism and autocracy, and ensure inequality elimination and the establishment of social justice.
The party promised to prevent enforced disappearances, guarantee the effective independence of the judiciary and depoliticise public administration by restoring professionalism and merit-based recruitment.
An Administrative Reform Commission would be formed to restructure the civil service and build what the party calls a "meritocratic Bangladesh".
The manifesto also proposes the establishment of a Police Commission to transform the police into an independent and citizen-friendly force, alongside expanded online complaint mechanisms to improve accountability.
Truth and healing commission
BNP has pledged to form a "Truth and Healing Commission" if voted to power, according to the manifesto's section on democracy and nation-building.
The party said the commission would aim to foster a forward-looking political culture, moving away from what it described as politics of vengeance and retribution. Its stated goal is to end political and social divisions and build a unified national identity based on Bangladeshi nationalism, where "we are all Bangladeshis".
The party said genuine nation-building is possible only by transcending divisions and forging a united and indivisible national identity, which it said underpins its commitment to establishing the commission.
Truth and reconciliation-style commissions have been used in several countries to address past injustices. One of the most prominent examples is South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, formed in 1995 after the end of apartheid.
Local government, decentralisation
The manifesto places strong emphasis on local government, which BNP described as the centre of democracy and development.
It argues that sustainable, people-oriented development is possible only if power and economic activity are decentralised from the capital and handed over to local leadership in villages and cities.
The party pledged to solve local problems at the local level, strengthen local administrations, ensure adequate financing for local government bodies, and improve transparency and accountability.
It also proposed implementing welfare programmes such as Family Cards and Agriculture Cards through local institutions.
Defence, foreign policy
BNP outlined its defence and foreign policy vision under the doctrine "Shobar Agey Bangladesh" and the principle of "Friend yes, master no".
The manifesto proposes the formation of a National Security Council and the adoption of a new national security strategy to build what the party described as a "credible deterrence" against external aggression.
Foreign policy priorities include economic and water security, with a focus on economic diplomacy to attract foreign investment, promote technology transfer and diversify export markets.
On transboundary river issues, BNP pledged to take effective steps to secure Bangladesh's fair share of water from common rivers, specifically mentioning the Teesta and the Padma. It also promised a firm stance against border killings, push-ins and cross-border smuggling.
The manifesto highlights plans to revitalise Saarc, seek membership of Asean and strengthen strategic ties with the Muslim world.
On the Rohingya crisis, the party said it would work with the international community to ensure the safe and dignified repatriation of displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Recognising the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal, BNP pledged to prioritise the Blue Economy and enhance naval capabilities to protect sea routes and maritime interests.
Democratising the economy
The BNP pledged it would move away from an economy based on privileges for a few groups and instead build a participatory system grounded in the productive capacity of all citizens.
It also pledged to dismantle what it described as the country's existing "oligarchic structure", end monopolistic control over resources and ensure public access to markets at all levels.
To expand the middle class, the manifesto includes plans for quality housing, improved education and the creation of high-quality jobs.
Investment and FDI
To boost investment, BNP set a target of raising foreign direct investment to 2.5% of GDP.
The party pledged to establish a single-window service and a 24/7 helpdesk at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority to reduce bureaucratic hurdles. It also proposed appointing an "FDI captain" to build investor confidence and simplifying visa and work permit processes.
Among its key commitments are the introduction of Investor Protection Regulations and the establishment of a Bangladesh International Commercial Court to ensure quick resolution of commercial disputes.
Banking, capital market reform
Addressing the troubled banking sector, BNP announced plans to form an Economic Reform Commission.
The manifesto specifically pledged to ensure the swift return of deposits to customers of Islamic banks that have been liquidated or are in crisis. It also promised to end political interference in bank management, address the problem of non-performing loans, and strengthen the autonomy and supervisory powers of Bangladesh Bank.
To improve transparency in the capital market, BNP proposed forming a Capital Market Reform Commission and a Capital Market Tribunal to protect investors.
Industry, technology and infrastructure
The party pledged to revive traditional industries through a "One village, one product" policy and provide incentives and easy loans to small, cottage and medium enterprises.
A taskforce of experts would be formed to reopen closed jute, textile and sugar mills. BNP also proposed establishing a National Trade Competitiveness Council and a Strategic Textile Fund to diversify export-oriented industries.
The manifesto places strong emphasis on ICT, with plans to create AI, software and hardware hubs to generate one million new jobs. It pledged to introduce PayPal services for freelancers, launch a national e-wallet and ensure uninterrupted internet through fibre-optic and low-orbit satellite technology.
In the energy sector, BNP vowed to cancel all secret agreements, raise power generation capacity to 35,000MW by 2030, and convert the national grid into a smart grid. It also pledged to increase renewable energy use to 20% and review the Rooppur nuclear power project to ensure transparency.
Revenue, governance
To restore discipline in revenue management, BNP pledged to rationalise VAT rates and increase revenue by an additional 2% of GDP.
The party aims to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio to 15% in the medium term by expanding income tax and VAT bases, modernising tax administration and imposing higher taxes on tobacco and polluting fuels.
The manifesto also commits to digital audits, stronger parliamentary oversight of mega projects, mandatory cost-benefit analyses and efforts to recover laundered money from abroad.
Tarique Rahman described the manifesto as not merely a list of promises, but a long-term economic masterplan.
