'No chaos, no retaliation': Tarique's first message after victory
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, 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.
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Speaking at his first post-election press conference at the InterContinental Dhaka hotel in the capital, Tarique called for calm across the country and urged political actors to act with restraint. "We will not tolerate any kind of chaos."
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 a fragile law and order situation but he expressed his 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," said the BNP chairman.
Referring to the country's "fragile economic and constitutional structures" and a "collapsed law and order situation", he sought cooperation from all quarters in rebuilding the state framework.
Tarique noted that 51 political parties – including Jamaat-e-Islami, the NCP, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jamiatul Islam, and Gono Odhikar 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.
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 the 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 his late mother, 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.
Tarique 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.
Foreign policy to prioritise national interest
The BNP chairman 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."
The press conference was also 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, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Selima Rahman, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and AZM Zahid Hossain, among others.
Q&A session
Following the press briefing attended by several hundred local and international journalists, an interactive Q&A session was held.
During this debut media appearance after the general election victory, the BNP chairman articulated the new administration's position on critical hurdles ahead, including regional diplomacy, economic recovery, and the legal status regarding the return of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
When asked whether "election engineering" was employed to secure over 200 seats in the polls, Tarique replied: "Our only 'engineering' was convincing the people. Our strategy was simply to bring the public over to our side, and in that, we have succeeded."
Ensuring a fair and credible environment while winning over the electorate was certainly a challenge, but to achieve a significant goal, one must be prepared to endure hardship, he said.
On the matter of ensuring justice regarding former Sheikh Hasina, Tarique affirmed that all necessary legal procedures would be rigorously followed.
When questioned about potential reconciliation with Awami League supporters, he said the new administration's priority would be the absolute implementation of the rule of law.
Highlighting the priorities of his incoming administration, Tarique identified the nation's economy and public security as his most pressing concerns.
He asserted that the primary mission of the new government would be to "de-politicise state institutions" and restore a culture of good governance that has been eroded over the past decade.
Regarding regional diplomacy and the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), Tarique said: "Bangladesh was the original proponent of Saarc. Therefore, it is only natural that we desire its revival. Upon forming the government, the BNP will take the necessary initiatives in this regard and will engage in discussions with neighbouring nations."
In response to a query from a foreign journalist regarding the Belt and Road Initiative and the future of China-Bangladesh relations, the BNP chairman said, "Our first priority will be the interests of the Bangladeshi people. The government will only consider the Belt and Road Initiative if it proves to be supportive of and profitable for the Bangladesh economy."
Asked about the BNP's foreign policy framework, Tarique said, "The interests of Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi people will take precedence above all else. Our foreign policy will be formulated by prioritising the nation and its citizens."
