Jamaat Ameer hails Tarique as ‘next PM’; Nahid greets him with flowers
Staff Reporter :
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, on Sunday congratulated Tarique Rahman in advance as Bangladesh’s “future prime minister,” following a high-profile meeting between the two leaders in the capital.
In a Facebook post published at 7:40pm, Shafiqur Rahman wrote: “I congratulate Tarique Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in advance as the future Prime Minister of Bangladesh.”
He described Tarique’s visit to his residence in the Bashundhara Residential Area as “a historic moment” for national politics.
According to party sources, Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, reached the Jamaat chief’s residence around 7:10pm on Sunday for a courtesy call.
The Jamaat ameer greeted Tarique Rahman with flowers. Several senior leaders from both parties were present at the meeting, which was described as cordial.
The meeting comes days after Thursday’s 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, in which the BNP secured a two-thirds majority and is set to form the next government.
Jamaat-e-Islami was the principal rival party in the polls.
In his statement, Shafiqur Rahman expressed hope that the meeting would mark “a new chapter of political maturity and mutual respect” through dialogue and responsibility.
He said he envisioned a Bangladesh “free from fascism, sovereign, and founded on justice and fairness.”
He added that Jamaat, together with its 11-party alliance partners, remained committed to building a prosperous, stable and modern state governed by democratic values and constitutional rule.
Referring to post-election developments, the Jamaat chief said Tarique Rahman had assured him that effective steps would be taken to prevent any post-poll violence and to stop attacks on opposition activists and members of minority communities.
“I welcome this assurance,” Shafiqur wrote, adding that no citizen should feel intimidated or insecure.
He pledged full cooperation with the elected government on matters of national interest, while reiterating Jamaat’s intention to play the role of a principled opposition.
“We will support the government’s welfare-oriented initiatives, but where accountability is required, we will speak out. Our aim is not confrontation but correction; not obstruction but oversight,” he said.
Shafiqur Rahman also emphasized that the people expect a parliament that safeguards justice and citizens’ rights while steering the country forward with stability.
Later in the evening, Tarique made a courtesy visit to National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam at his Bailey Road residence in the capital at around 8:30pm.
The meeting followed shortly after Tarique’s talks with the Jamaat chief and came just two days ahead of the formation of the next government after his party’s landslide victory in the national election.
Upon arrival, Tarique was greeted a floral wreath by Nahid, according to BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan accompanied him during the visit.
The series of meetings took place a day after Tarique urged all political parties and forces to extend cooperation in building what he described as a “safe and humane Bangladesh.”