17 years in exile — now in power: BNP chief Tarique Rahman’s bold promise to ‘restore justice

“Justice will be our guiding principle. If the rule of law is not established, all our efforts will be in vain,” Rahman said at his first press conference after securing a decisive majority in the national elections, according to The Daily Star.

Bangladesh has witnessed a spike in violence, including reported attacks targeting members of the Hindu community, following the fall of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, 2024, amid widespread protests.

Calling for restraint, Rahman urged BNP leaders and activists to avoid any post-election unrest.

“To ensure that no unpleasant incidents occur anywhere in post-election Bangladesh, despite many provocations, I call upon all BNP leaders and activists across the country to remain calm and vigilant,” he said.

Rahman acknowledged that his new government would begin its tenure amid a fragile economy and a deteriorating law and order situation.

“With your spontaneous participation, after more than one and a half decades, a parliament and government accountable to the people through direct voting are being re-established in the country,” he said.

Emphasising the need for unity, he appealed to all political parties to put national interests above partisan differences.

“Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united. I firmly believe that national unity is our collective strength, while division is our weakness,” the BNP chief said.

Declaring the outcome a mandate for democratic restoration, Rahman said, “This victory belongs to Bangladesh. This victory belongs to democracy. This victory belongs to the people who aspire to and have sacrificed for democracy. From today, we are all free, with the true essence of freedom and rights restored.”

According to results announced by the Election Commission, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Rahman, secured 209 seats in the 297-member parliament. With support from its allies, the BNP’s tally rose to 212 seats.

Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 77 seats in the election — the first general polls held in Bangladesh since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.