‘Will return home soon – how can I stay away in the time of elections?’ Tarique tells BBC Bangla
'I certainly wish to be with the people during the much-anticipated election that the public desires,' says Tarique Rahman.
Highlights:
- Tarique Rahman gives face-to-face interview to a media outlet for first time in nearly two decades
- Talks about his return home, hints it will be before polls are held
- The people and party will decide on Tarique's candidacy for prime minister
- He will take part in the upcoming polls
- Interview marks significant media appearance as the BNP leader has kept a low public profile since 2008
- In 2015, High Court had banned any dissemination of his remarks in Bangladesh
For the first time in nearly two decades, Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has given a face-to-face interview to a media outlet, telling BBC Bangla that it is "time for him to return to his country."
As a politician, as a political activist, elections are intrinsically linked to my identity. So, when there is an anticipated election, an election that the people desire, how can I stay away during that time?
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In a rare appearance, he spoke to the outlet on a wide range of issues, including politics, elections and the current state of the country in part one of a two-part interview that aired today (6 October).
When asked about his return to Bangladesh, Tarique stated: "For some logical reasons, my return has not been possible yet… However, I feel the time has come. Inshallah, I will return very soon."
He added, "As a politician, as a political activist, elections are intrinsically linked to my identity. So, when there is an anticipated election, an election that the people desire, how can I stay away during that time? I will have my utmost effort, desire, and interest to be with the people, among the people, when that anticipated election that the public wants is held, Inshallah."
When BBC Bangla asked if the BNP acting chairman felt any kind of security threats or apprehension regarding his return, Tarique Rahman replied, "We have often heard about various kinds of security concerns from several individuals. Even various individuals within the government have also raised concerns through various channels and the media."
The first part of the interview aired this morning, and the second part will air tomorrow. Both episodes will be available at 9am on BBC Bangla's website, Facebook page and YouTube channel, per an announcement from BBC Bangla.
The interview marks a significant media appearance by the BNP leader, who has kept a low public profile since going into exile in London in 2008.
The next prime minister
When asked what his role will be in the next election and if he will be seen as a contender for the honour of becoming the next prime minister, Tarique Rahman, as a political activist, replied, "When an election, a true people's election, is held, I certainly cannot distance myself. I must come. Naturally, I will be in the field, Insha'Allah.
Regarding the vying for the prime minister's seat, he said, "I believe this decision belongs to the people of Bangladesh. This is not my decision. The people of Bangladesh will make this decision." In regards to BNP's decision of backing him as a potential PM candidate, Tarique replied, "The party will take that decision. How the party proceeds is the party's decision."
He confirmed that he will be participating in the upcoming elections. Tarique, however, did not confirm in what capacity.
'No individual mastermind'
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that no individual or political party was the mastermind of the July Uprising, describing it instead as a movement led by democracy-seeking people across Bangladesh.
In an interview with BBC Bangla, he said he does not see himself as the mastermind of the July Uprising, despite many BNP leaders and supporters referring to him as the "sole mastermind".
I will have my utmost effort, desire, and interest to be with the people, among the people, when that anticipated election that the public wants is held, Inshallah
"No, I certainly never see myself as the mastermind of this movement. The uprising that culminated in 5 August, which came to be known as the July movement was successful in July but its context began many years ago," Tarique said.
He said the movement was not confined to any single political group.
"Activists of democratic parties, whether from the BNP or others…contributed in various ways. Their activists were oppressed in various ways," he said.
Tarique added that the movement united people from all walks of life.
"Were only political party activists on the ground that day? Absolutely not. We saw madrasa students on the ground…housewives taking to the streets…farmers, labourers, CNG drivers, small traders, garment workers. We saw retired military officers and employees taking to the streets," he added.
He also mentioned that some journalists who had faced persecution under the previous government participated in the movement.
"We do not want to belittle or undermine anyone's role. I firmly believe that every person, irrespective of class, opinion, or political affiliation, contributed to it," he said.
"This was the movement of the people of Bangladesh, the people who believe in democracy are the masterminds of this movement. No party, no individual, the democracy-seeking people of Bangladesh are the masterminds," Tarique concluded.
'Couldn't publish or broadcast'
BBC Bangla asked why the BNP leader had not spoken to the mainstream media for such long time. Tarique's reply painted a picture of the fallen Awami League regime's control over the media as he said, "It's not quite like that; in fact, I have spoken. I have been here, in exile, for 17 long years. But ever since the responsibility of the party fell upon me, I have spoken with everyone.
"During the time of the previous autocratic government, a court order effectively shut down my right to speak. If I wanted to say something to the media, even if the media wished to publish it, they could not. That is how they tried to silence me. But I have spoken; I have tried to reach the people through various means, including social media, and by the grace of Allah, I have reached them," he said.
"I have spoken. Even if you wanted to, perhaps you couldn't publish or broadcast them. But I spoke; I did not stop."
If I wanted to say something to the media, even if the media wished to publish it, they could not. That is how they tried to silence me
In contrast, back in August last year, the High Court lifted a long-standing ban on the publication and broadcast of Tarique Rahman's speeches and statements across all media and online platforms.
Earlier in 2015, the same court had imposed the ban, restricting any dissemination of his remarks in Bangladesh.
The decision came after Tarique, in a statement on 5 January 2015, declared that the BNP's anti-government movement would continue until then–prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned.
A writ petition seeking the ban was filed the next day by Advocate Nasreen Siddiki Lina.
Tarique Rahman, the elder son of BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has been living in London since 2008 after being released on parole.
