Tarique Rahman’s return signals polarisation, not reform: Sheikh Hasina
text_fields
New Delhi: Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Tarique Rahman’s return to Dhaka after 17 years in exile does not signal renewal or reform for Bangladesh and could instead intensify political polarisation, deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in an interview with IANS on Wednesday.
“Tarique Rahman’s return does not represent renewal or reform; it represents a return to a politics that Bangladesh has already paid a heavy price for,” said the 78-year-old former premier. She added that Rahman had lived comfortably in exile for years, detached from the everyday struggles of ordinary Bangladeshis, after fleeing accountability for corruption and abuse of power.
Rahman, 58, is the son of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and is also known as Tarique Zia in Bangladesh. During the BNP-led government under Khaleda Zia, Hasina’s administration had accused him of corruption and of running a parallel power centre.
As Bangladesh faces political uncertainty and violence, attention has shifted to Rahman, who is leading a BNP-led alliance ahead of the general election scheduled for February 12. His return from the United Kingdom has reignited debate over the country’s political future and its relations with India, with his actions being closely watched not only by New Delhi but by other countries as well.
Hasina noted that while appealing to the BNP’s nationalist base—sections of which view India with suspicion—Rahman is attempting to project himself as a defender of Bangladesh’s sovereignty, signalling an equidistant approach towards India, China, and Pakistan.
However, she warned that his presence could widen existing divisions. “Rather than the country moving towards reform, his presence may further deepen the chasm of political polarisation,” she said.
Hasina also expressed concern over the current situation in Bangladesh, saying uncertainty and fear have grown since her ouster in 2024, particularly for minority communities. She pointed to a rise in mob violence and targeted attacks on minorities, especially Hindus. Reports indicate that at least 11 Hindus have been killed across Bangladesh over a 35-day period, reflecting what she described as a sustained increase in violence. Recent lynchings of minority community members have also alarmed global human rights organisations.
“His presence is likely to deepen political polarisation rather than heal it. Leadership requires accountability, transparency, and engagement with the people, not direction from abroad followed by sudden re-entry when conditions appear favourable,” Hasina told IANS.
The BNP alliance is currently tipped to be leading in popularity ahead of the February 12 polls. Rahman, often referred to as the “dark prince”, has reportedly emerged ahead of other contenders in surveys on who could become Bangladesh’s next Prime Minister.
Hasina further alleged that BNP activists have recently engaged in intimidation and coercion, forcing citizens, including Awami League supporters, to back the party under threats of violence or property destruction. “Bangladesh’s future cannot be built on figures whose political legacy is defined by corruption, violence, and alliances with extremist forces,” she said.
Meanwhile, a Dhaka court has fixed January 21 to frame charges in a high-profile sedition case involving around 285–286 accused, including Sheikh Hasina. This is among several legal cases filed against her since her removal from office. Separately, reports said a special tribunal in November sentenced her to death in absentia in a “crimes against humanity” case.
With IANS inputs