BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday launched a fierce attack on an unnamed political force, accusing leaders of a once “secret organisation” of emerging as new tyrants indistinguishable from past autocrats, warning that their rise poses a grave threat to democracy, dignity and public safety. Addressing a massive election rally at Bells Park ground in Barishal city, Tarique said the group had shed its covert identity only to reappear as “new oppressors”, using the same language and tactics once employed by authoritarian rulers. “Mothers and sisters of this country are not safe from them,” he said. “After August 5, 2024, they have started using the same abusive language against us that autocrats used before. This exposes who they really are.” Without naming the party, the BNP leader said the organisation’s leaders and activists had shown “utter contempt for human dignity”, particularly through what he described as slanderous and insulting remarks against women. “I observe with pain and disgust that their leaders openly use vile language against women,” he said. “They have no respect for mothers and sisters, no respect for human values.” Tarique cited a recent remark by a leader of the alleged covert force in Comilla, who reportedly said they would beg for votes by touching people’s feet until polling day, but reverse their behaviour afterwards. “What kind of mentality is this?” Tarique asked. “How they treat people has now been fully exposed.” He warned voters that if such forces were elected, ordinary people would face “complete misery”. “They must be taught a lesson at the ballot box. People must remain cautious,” he said. The BNP chairman claimed the covert group had consistently aligned itself with authoritarian regimes, calling it “the other side of the same coin”. “They stood with autocrats in ’71, ’86, ’96 and for the past 15 years,” he alleged. Turning to governance, Tarique said Bangladesh would be run strictly on the basis of the people’s verdict. He said voters would elect a government on February 12 that would be directly accountable to them. “State power belongs to the people alone,” he declared. Highlighting regional issues, Tarique described river erosion as Barishal’s biggest challenge and pledged to build embankments and complete long-stalled development projects if the BNP returned to power. He said many initiatives launched during previous BNP governments remained unfinished and needed urgent completion. Stressing gender equality, Tarique said the country could not progress by confining women to their homes. “Men and women must move forward together, shoulder to shoulder. Without women’s full participation, the nation cannot be rebuilt,” he said. The Barishal rally, presided over by Barishal Metropolitan BNP convenor Moniruzzaman Khan Faruq, also saw Tarique introduce BNP and alliance candidates for 21 parliamentary seats across the six districts of the division. After nearly two decades, Tarique’s appearance in Barishal drew huge crowds from across the region. From early morning, leaders and activists arrived in colourful processions, beating drums and chanting slogans in favour of the BNP’s electoral symbol, the Paddy Sheaf. Tarique arrived by helicopter at Barishal Outer Stadium before proceeding to the rally venue in a motorcade amid loud cheers. Later in the day, addressing another large rally at Government Rajendra College ground in Faridpur, Tarique announced that a Faridpur division would be created if the BNP formed the next government. He said the BNP believed all state authority flowed from the people and sought to govern with that principle at its core. Referring to long-standing river erosion along the Padma and other rivers, he pledged effective measures to protect lives, land and livelihoods in the region. The Faridpur rally drew tens of thousands of supporters, with the venue and surrounding areas turning into what party leaders described as a “sea of people”. An atmosphere of festivity prevailed across the district, with many attendees saying the massive turnout signalled a strong public desire for political change. Senior BNP leaders, including central organising secretary for Faridpur division Shama Obaid and district leaders, also addressed the gathering, expressing confidence that a BNP government under Tarique Rahman would accelerate development in the southern and central regions of the country.

UK-based weekly The Economist has dubbed BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman as the front-runner to become Bangladesh’s next prime minister as the country prepares for general elections on 12 February. “Mr Rahman—the 60-year-old scion of a prominent political family—is the front-runner to become Bangladesh’s prime minister after the general election on 12 February,” the magazine said in its latest analysis, published on 2 February. The report noted that this will be the first poll since a political upheaval 18 months ago, which ended the “15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League.” “The return to democracy should improve law and order, reassure investors, and begin repairing Bangladesh’s fraught ties with India,” the analysis added. The Economist’s assessment follows similar projections by other international outlets, including US-based Time magazine and Bloomberg, which have also flagged Rahman as the likely next premier. The UK-based publication also described the scene of Rahman’s return on 25 December last year, when excited supporters surged into the streets to catch a glimpse of the bullet-proof bus carrying him, which slowed “every couple of miles to give waiting fans a good look.” The endorsement comes amid an intensifying election campaign, where policy pledges and rural outreach have taken centre stage. Rahman has made farm credit, financial reform, and governance central pillars of his campaign, targeting millions of rural voters who have long felt underserved. On 29 January, he pledged to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000—including accrued interest—and to introduce “farmer cards” if the BNP returns to power, initiatives aimed at delivering immediate relief to smallholders while bolstering food security. Analysts say these promises have resonated strongly with Bangladesh’s agrarian population. Agriculture remains the backbone of the national economy, employing a significant portion of the workforce and producing the bulk of the country’s food supply. Yet private and foreign banks have historically been reluctant to extend credit to farmers, citing weak collateral, recovery risks, and limited rural outreach. BNP’s commitments, coupled with Bangladesh Bank’s recent instruction to banks to prepare detailed agricultural loan data for the incoming government, suggest a rare alignment of political and regulatory priorities. Beyond agriculture, Rahman has pledged to reform public finance, streamline bureaucratic processes, and attract both domestic and foreign investment to stimulate growth. Economists say these measures, if implemented effectively, could stabilise key sectors—including banking, trade, and infrastructure—while boosting investor confidence in a politically volatile environment. “The political commitments—particularly from a major opposition leader—raise the stakes for policymakers and the private sector alike,” said a senior Dhaka-based economist. “Bangladesh Bank and regulators now face pressure to ensure credit flows, reform delivery, and governance transparency.” Recent economic data underline the urgency for reform. Scheduled banks disbursed Tk210.08 billion in agricultural loans in the first half of FY2025–26—a 29.2 per cent increase from a year earlier—yet the sector still suffers from uneven access and limited participation from private commercial banks. Experts emphasise that election-driven promises must be supported by crop insurance, rural financial infrastructure, and strong regulatory frameworks to ensure long-term sustainability. Politically, Rahman’s rise reshapes the electoral landscape. The BNP’s strategy combines urban outreach with rural mobilisation, seeking to energise voters who feel economically marginalised. International attention, such as that from The Economist, not only enhances Rahman’s domestic credibility but also signals to investors that Bangladesh’s election outcome may carry significant economic and governance implications. Observers caution, however, that elections in Bangladesh remain unpredictable. Voter turnout, last-minute alliances, and shifting political dynamics could alter the outcome. Nevertheless, the international spotlight on Tarique Rahman highlights the stakes: a BNP-led government could accelerate reforms, redirect fiscal priorities, and attract foreign investment, while alternative outcomes may sustain the status quo. As the campaign intensifies, attention is increasingly focused on whether political promises translate into tangible policies and how Bangladesh Bank and financial institutions adapt to anticipated reforms. For now, Tarique Rahman has emerged as the nexus of domestic political ambition, rural economic expectations, and international scrutiny—a combination that could define Bangladesh’s next chapter in governance and development.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has failed in many cases to properly recognise the government’s ongoing reform initiatives, arguing that not all reforms are immediately visible. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat after a meeting of the Advisers’ Council Committee on Government Procurement. Responding to a question about a recent TIB observation that the interim government’s reform and development efforts were less substantive than they appeared, Dr Salehuddin said the organisation’s assessment overlooked several fundamental changes. “TIB cannot see everything. They do not have divine vision or perfect sight. Even if they want to see, they cannot always see many things,” he said. He stressed that reforms should not be judged only by legislation, pointing to procedural and administrative simplifications carried out by the government. “Do not just look for reform laws. We have simplified many processes. For example, earlier one had to seek permission under the outward wage scheme. We are not saying it is automatic now, but the process has been eased. Why do people not see what we have done?” he asked. When journalists noted that Dr Salehuddin had previously praised TIB and that organisations often face criticism once governments come to power, he rejected the suggestion that he was attacking the watchdog. “No, no — I am not criticising or defaming TIB. I still acknowledge their role. But I am saying: look at the fundamental issues. If someone does not want to see, then many things can be ignored,” he said. He added that he had never engaged in baseless criticism while outside government and had always focused on core policy issues. Referring to the fact that TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman had been a member of the government’s reform commission, the finance adviser said public expectations regarding reforms were understandably high. “People definitely have expectations. We also thought we would carry reforms forward smoothly. But reform requires cooperation and a proper process,” he said. Drawing on his experience within the administration, Dr Salehuddin said systemic weaknesses and procedural flaws made reform implementation extremely difficult. “I have seen from inside how flawed the processes are — more than you can imagine. Still, we have pushed many things through the Ministry of Finance. The finance secretary and others worked quickly. I provided immediate solutions where possible,” he said, adding that several advisers were frustrated due to institutional constraints. He said his background in the civil service had helped him navigate the system more effectively than many others. “I was trained in the civil service. I know how things work. Not everyone has that experience. Without cooperation, reform becomes very difficult,” he said. Frankly acknowledging the challenges, Dr Salehuddin said working within Bangladesh’s administrative framework was particularly demanding. “This is a very difficult place to work. The processes are extremely complicated, with too many interventions. Untangling them is like solving a knot,” he said. When asked whether bureaucracy was the main obstacle, he said it was certainly a major factor, but not the only one. “There is definitely a bureaucratic element. But the system itself and the laws that were drafted earlier were not done properly,” he said. Citing the banking sector as an example, he said governance standards had weakened over time. “During my time, two or three directors from the same family were allowed in a bank. Later, that number suddenly increased to six or more. This is moving backwards instead of forwards,” he added.