Shafiqur congratulates Tarique as 'future PM'; Nahid welcomes him with floral wreath
The BNP chairman today visited the Jamaat chief’s residence and also paid a courtesy call on NCP Convener Nahid Islam following his party’s victory in the national election
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman in advance as Bangladesh's "future prime minister," following a meeting between the two leaders in the capital this evening (15 February).
In a statement posted on his Facebook today, Shafiqur said, "I congratulate Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in advance as the future Prime Minister of Bangladesh."
Tarique reached the Jamaat chief's residence in Bashundhara Residential Area around 7:10pm to hold the meeting, which Shafiqur described as "a historic moment" for national politics.
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"I warmly welcome his visit and hope that through dialogue and responsibility, it will usher in a new chapter of political maturity and mutual respect," he wrote.
Referring to their discussions, the Jamaat chief said Tarique assured him that effective measures would be taken to prevent post-election violence and any attacks on opposition activists and minority communities.
"I welcome this assurance," Shafiqur said, adding that no citizen should face intimidation or insecurity.
Shafiqur further said he envisions building a Bangladesh free from fascism, sovereign, and founded on justice and fairness.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, in alliance with the 11-party coalition, remains committed to establishing a prosperous, stable and modern state guided by democratic values and constitutional governance, he added.
He further said that on matters of national interest, they would extend full cooperation to the elected government. However, as an ideological opposition party, Jamaat would remain uncompromising in fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities.
"Our objective is not confrontation but correction; not obstruction but oversight," he added.
Courtesy call on NCP convener
Later in the evening, Tarique paid a courtesy call on National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam at his residence in the capital's Bailey Road area around 8:30pm.
The meeting took place shortly after Tarique's discussion with the Jamaat chief and comes just two days before forming the next government following his party's massive victory in national election.
On his arrival, Nahid welcomed Tarique with a floral wreath, said BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan accompanied Tarique during the visit.
The meetings come a day after Tarique called for cooperation from all political parties and forces to help build a 'safe and humane Bangladesh'.
Prof Sabbir Ahmed of the Department of Political Science at the Dhaka University told The Business Standard, "This is a goodwill gesture. It sets an example. Such practices gain permanence through continuity over time. In political science, this is called an informal institution."
"This year Tarique Rahman visited; if next time Dr Shafiq wins and visits Tarique Rahman's residence, then a tradition will be established. Only then will it turn into an institution," he added.
According to Prof Sabbir, congratulating the victorious party in an election is also the beginning of a positive political culture, adding that this is how politics becomes more humane.
"However, since Tarique Rahman has done this for the first time, the credit certainly goes to him. This approach will help steer politics in a better direction."
KAS Murshid, former director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), said, "This is an important step. We did not expect anything less than this. It is extremely crucial for building trust."
