Maintaining peace, law and order priority, won't tolerate anarchy: Tarique
The BNP chairman expresses gratitude to the law enforcement agencies, political parties, and everyone concerned for their roles for a peaceful national election
Highlights:
- Urges party members to work tirelessly to honour people's trust in BNP
- Peace and law and order must be maintained at any cost
- Rule of law must apply equally to all
- No room for politics of vengeance
- Attacks by the strong against the weak won't be tolerated
- Foreign policy to prioritise people's interests
Peace and law and order must be maintained at any cost, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said today (14 February), warning that his party would not tolerate any form of unrest following its election victory.
Speaking at his first post-election press conference at the InterContinental Hotel in the capital, Tarique called for calm across the country and urged political actors to act with restraint.
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"We will not tolerate any kind of chaos," he said.
He issued a stern warning against any acts of intimidation or retaliation, saying attacks by the strong against the weak would not be tolerated "under any pretext," regardless of political affiliation, religion, caste or differing opinions.
Tarique acknowledged that the new government would begin its journey amid fragile law and order conditions but expressed optimism that, after more than a decade, a parliament and administration accountable to voters would now take shape through direct public mandate.
Call for unity
"We must remain united so that no evil force can undermine the country or push it towards subservience," he said.
Referring to the country's "fragile economic and constitutional structures" and a "collapsed law and order situation", Tarique sought cooperation from all quarters in rebuilding the state framework.
He noted that 51 political parties – including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jamiatul Islam and Ganadhikar Parishad – participated in the polls, and congratulated all contestants.
In a democratic system, he said, both government and opposition must act responsibly to institutionalise democracy.
"Our paths and opinions may differ, but we are united for the country. National unity is our strength; division is our weakness," he added, appealing to all democratic forces to contribute constructively to rebuilding the nation.
Foreign policy to prioritise people's interests
Tarique Rahman said the country's foreign policy will be shaped with the welfare and interests of the Bangladeshi people as the top priority.
At the briefing, he told foreign journalists, "The interests of the people come first; we will formulate foreign policy with their concerns in mind."
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury added that Bangladesh's foreign relations would be guided by mutual respect, equality, and trust, rather than loyalty to any "single nation."
Hails election as free, fair and peaceful
The BNP chairman described the election as free, fair and peaceful, saying it overcame public doubts.
He thanked the interim government and the Election Commission for organising the polls, calling their role "memorable in the history of democracy."
Reaffirming commitment to implementing the July Charter, he said BNP had presented a state reform outline and later finalised a 31-point agenda through consultations with democratic parties and citizens nationwide. "We are committed to gradually implementing every promise made to the people."
Paying tribute to former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Tarique said her absence at a "moment of national joy" was deeply felt.
"She fought uncompromisingly against fascism, never yielding to autocracy. On issues concerning the country and the people, she remained steadfast," he said.
Expressing gratitude to grassroots activists for enduring "years of repression" without abandoning the struggle for democracy, Tarique said the focus must now shift from protest to nation-building.
He called on party members to remain calm and vigilant in the face of provocation to prevent any post-election violence.
Emphasising the primacy of the rule of law, he said it must apply equally to all citizens – whether in government or opposition – and warned against allowing electoral rivalries to devolve into revenge.
Call for humane Bangladesh
Tarique Rahman urged citizens across political divides to work together to establish a safe, humane and democratic Bangladesh grounded in accountability, anti-corruption measures and strong law enforcement.
The press conference was attended by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moin Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Selima Rahman, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and AZM Zahid Hossain, among others.
The event was moderated by BNP Media Cell Convener Moudud Ahmed Pavel.
BNP Vice Chairman Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Joinul Abedin, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Chairperson's Adviser Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Ismail Zabiullah, International Secretary Barrister Nasir Uddin Ahmed Asim, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir and BNP chairman's Adviser Mahdi Amin also attended the press conference.
