Politics must not divide nation: Tareque Rahman
Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday called on all political forces to resolve differences through dialogue, warning that disagreements must not deepen into divisions that fracture the nation.
“Differences of opinion will exist. But they must never turn into hostility or a force that divides the nation,” Rahman said. “We have already seen where that road can lead — on August 5.”
He was speaking at a greeting ceremony with newspaper editors and senior journalists from print and electronic media at a city hotel, marking his first public engagement since formally assuming the chairmanship of the party.
Referring to the country’s turbulent political history, Rahman said Bangladesh must move away from cycles of violence and retaliation. “BNP does not want to take the country backward,” he said. “We want to steer politics away from violence and revenge and place the nation on the right path.”
He cited three events that he said should compel the country to rethink its political culture: the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman in 1981, a politically charged death in December 2025, and the events of August 5, 2024. “When these are placed side by side, it becomes clear there is no justification for returning to old ways,” he said. “The price the nation has paid — especially on August 5 — forces us to reimagine politics.”
Rahman said a new generation is searching for hope, while all generations are seeking guidance. He stressed that politicians carry the responsibility of leading the country forward, even if they cannot meet every public expectation.
After returning to Bangladesh on December 25 following over a decade and a half in exile, Rahman said he had visited various areas and spoken to people from different walks of life. “What I felt most strongly is that people’s expectations of politicians are enormous,” he said. “Even if all expectations cannot be fulfilled, it is our duty to ensure the state advances in the right direction.”
Addressing the role of the press, Rahman urged editors to provide constructive criticism. “Criticism is necessary,” he said. “But not criticism for its own sake. We need criticism that helps identify problems and contributes to solving them.”
Alongside his political message, Rahman outlined a series of policy proposals reflecting the BNP’s future priorities. He announced plans to introduce an “Agri Card” for the country’s nearly 15 million farmers, saying those who ensure food for 200 million people currently lack a dedicated platform.
Highlighting the late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s efforts to expand women’s education, he said a future BNP-led government would consider a “Family Card” to support the economic empowerment of educated women.
On healthcare, Rahman emphasised prevention over treatment, arguing that public awareness of diet and lifestyle could significantly reduce conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease and diabetes.
He said the party plans to recruit health workers focused on prevention, which would improve public health and reduce state expenditure.
The event was attended by senior media figures, including Shafik Rehman of Jaijaidin, Mahfuz Anam of The Daily Star, Matiur Rahman Chowdhury of Manabzamin, Nurul Kabir of New Age, Hasan Hafiz of Kaler Kantho, Abdul Hai Sikder of Jugantor, A.M.M. Bahawuddin of Inqilab, Mahmudur Rahman of Amar Desh, and Md. Mokarram Hossain of The New Nation. Senior BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed, were also present.
Framing his remarks as both a political and moral appeal, Rahman concluded by stressing that political disagreement must not harden into national rupture. “The country has already paid too high a price,” he said. “Our task now is to ensure it does not pay it again.”