Tarique now BNP chairman

Tarique Rahman has formally assumed the post of BNP chairman in line with the party’s constitution, marking a historic generational shift in its leadership.

Nearly five decades after its founding by former president Ziaur Rahman, the BNP is now led by his eldest son. 

For 41 years, the party’s helm was held by Ziaur Rahman’s wife, former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Following her death, the succession was considered inevitable under party rules.

Tarique thus becomes the fourth chairman of the BNP. The decision was unanimously endorsed at a meeting of the BNP Standing Committee held last night at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the transition had been completed in accordance with the party constitution.

“The Standing Committee meeting was held. Under the party constitution, the acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has assumed the role of chairman. We ask everyone to pray for his success in leading the party,” he said.

After Khaleda’s death, the issue was discussed within the party, but its constitution left little room for ambiguity. As senior vice chairman, Tarique automatically moved into the top position.

Tarique returned to the country on December 25 last year after 17 years in exile in London. Khaleda passed away on December 30, leaving the post vacant until Tarique formally took charge 10 days later.

Article 7 (Ga), sub-clause 3 of the BNP constitution stipulates that if the chairmanship falls vacant for any reason, the senior vice-chairman shall assume the post for the remainder of the term and continue until a new chairman is elected. Under sub-clause 2, Tarique had already been serving as acting chairman since February 8, 2018 after Khaleda was imprisoned.

The party’s leadership lineage traces back to September 1, 1978, when Ziaur Rahman founded the BNP and became its first chairman. He was later succeeded by then president Justice Abdus Sattar. Khaleda was elected vice-chairman in March 1983 and assumed the chairmanship in August 1984.

Tarique’s political journey began early. At 22, he joined the Gabtali upazila BNP in Bogura in 1988, having been politically active even before formal membership. He rose steadily through the ranks, becoming senior joint secretary general in 2002, senior vice chairman at the party’s fifth national council in 2009, and re-elected to the post at the sixth council in 2016. 

Since Khaleda’s imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case in 2018, he has effectively led the party as acting chairman.

VISIT POSTPONED

Meanwhile, the new party chief has postponed a planned visit to northern districts following a request from the Election Commission.

Fakhrul announced the decision after the Standing Committee meeting. Tarique had been scheduled to begin a four-day tour tomorrow, with stops in Bogura, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat.

Questions had arisen over whether the visit, planned ahead of the election campaign, might breach the election code of conduct.

Party leaders said the decision was taken to avoid controversy and to ensure the BNP is not accused of violating the code of conduct.

Fakhrul told reporters that the tour had been intended to pay respects to Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani and the martyrs of the July uprising, including Abu Sayed, and to attend to family matters.

“Following the Election Commission’s request, the BNP chairman’s trip has been postponed,” he said.

CONCERNS OVER KILLINGS 

Fakhrul also warned that continuing violence could undermine the election environment.

“The election is scheduled for February 12, but certain groups are plotting in various ways to cast doubt on the polls and sabotage the process,” he said.

Referring to recent incidents, he added, “Osman Hadi was shot dead. Several political leaders, particularly from the BNP, have been shot. Swechchhasebak Dal leader Musabbir was also killed. We have demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and their prosecution under the law.”

Addressing the interim government and the Election Commission, Fakhrul cautioned that if such killings continue, the country’s electoral atmosphere would be gravely affected.

“We once again urge the government and the Election Commission to take all necessary measures so that the election environment is preserved and not allowed to deteriorate,” he said.