In his first remarks after Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) landslide victory in the parliamentary elections, BNP chief Tarique Rahman called for unity among all citizens.
“To ensure that no evil force can restore autocracy in the country and to ensure that the nation does not become a vassal state, we must remain united and uphold the will of the people,” Rahman told a news conference.
This year’s Bangladeshi general election was the first since a student uprising in 2024 that ousted longtime prime minister Sheikh Hasina and ended the 15-year rule of her party, the Awami League. The BNP and its allies secured at least 212 of the 299 seats, Reuters reported on Friday afternoon (Feb 13), citing the Election Commission.
“Victory belongs to Bangladesh…”
The Prime Minister-elect hailed Bangladesh and further mentioned that “BNP’s victory belongs to Bangladesh”.
“This victory belongs to Bangladesh. This victory belongs to democracy. This victory belongs to the people who long for democracy and have sacrificed for it. From today we are all free, with the true essence of freedom and rights restored.”
I congratulate the people of Bangladesh. By overcoming all obstacles, you have paved the way for the establishment of democracy in the country,” said Rahman.
“…fragile economy”
“We will begin our journey in a situation marked by a fragile economy left behind by an authoritarian regime, weakened constitutional and legal institutions and a deteriorating law and order situation,” continued the prime minister-elect in his speech.
The 60-year-old BNP chairman is poised to inherit a country struggling with high inflation, a weakening currency and youth unemployment at a staggering 14%, news agencies from the country reported in Dhaka.
Bangladesh election
Rahman also congratulated other political parties that were part of the election.
A total of 51 political parties participated in the February elections, including Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Gono Odhikar Parishad.
“In a democratic state and political system, political parties are the real beacons of democracy. If both the government and the opposition play responsible roles from their respective positions, democracy in the country will surely take an institutional form.”
I call on all democratic political parties that participated in the elections. Your ideas and perspectives are important to us in the nation building process. Our paths and opinions may differ, but we must remain united for the sake of the country. I firmly believe that national unity is our collective strength while division is our weakness,” Rahman said.