Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to run for office in the upcoming general elections in Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies next year, as reported by local media. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed this information during a press interaction, also mentioning that Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho will now contest from Bhola-1 instead of Dhaka-17, The Daily Star informed.
Rahman recently visited BNP’s Gulshan Chairperson’s Office for the first time since its establishment in 2008. BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan stated that Rahman arrived at the office on Sunday at 1:43 p.m. (local time) and engaged in discussions with members of BNP’s standing committee.
After the meeting, BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf highlighted, “Our acting Chairman assumed office for the first time today. We deliberated on election-related matters and decided to collaborate with the Election Commission. Although there was no formal meeting, we focused on organizational affairs and the election process.”
The Election Commission officially approved the inclusion of Tarique Rahman in Bangladesh’s voter list ahead of the national election and referendum scheduled for February 12, as confirmed by EC Director of Public Relations Ruhul Amin Mallik. “The Election Commission has granted approval for Tarique Rahman’s voter list inclusion,” Mallik stated.
Tarique Rahman, along with his daughter Zaima Rahman, recently completed the National Identity Card (NID) registration and voter enlistment process. They are now registered as voters in the Dhaka-17 constituency under DNCC Ward No. 19 in the Gulshan area.
Rahman’s return to Bangladesh, after almost 17 years abroad, coincides with the announcement by the EC regarding the 13th national parliamentary election and a referendum on the July Charter scheduled for February 12 next year. Analysts anticipate that his participation in the upcoming elections will be a significant development amid the current political unrest in Bangladesh under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, which faces increasing pressure to ensure a transparent and fair election process.
Concerns have been raised by critics regarding Rahman’s reentry into Bangladesh’s politically charged environment, fearing that it could escalate tensions across the nation.
