Tarique stresses on democratic process, accountability

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said that the democratic process and accountability must continue.

"My personal belief is this: if, at any cost, we can continue accountability and the democratic process, there may be many obstacles, and it may be very difficult. But if we can keep the democratic process going over a certain period of time, we will surely be able to bring change," he said at a meeting with editors and journalists of new outlets in Dhaka today.

Tarique stressed on democratic process, "whether at the national level or the local level, including union parishad elections, municipal elections, or even elections of trade bodies".

Urging members of all political parties and people across society to remain engaged, Tarique said that, as a political worker, he sees many tough challenges ahead.

"We have different kinds of differences among us. We should be able to discuss these differences through dialogue," he added.

Tarique said Bangladesh must not return to the period before the student-led mass uprising that toppled the Awami League government.

"We had problems in the past, and we still have problems. We don't want to go back to the pre-August 5 days. There's no reason for us to do that," he said.

The BNP leader urged political parties and citizens to resolve differences through dialogue rather than confrontation, warning against allowing disagreements to turn into deep divisions.

"We have seen what happens when differences become divisions and the nation is split. That is why we hear so much frustration today. But even so, people are still thinking about the future and making plans for it, and that is a source of hope."

Outlining broad policy priorities, Tarique identified education, healthcare, women's rights, workplace conditions, and constitutional and legal reforms as areas requiring urgent attention.

He also highlighted problems in essential public services, including healthcare and water supply, saying his party would work to address long-standing shortcomings in those sectors.

On public health, Tarique stressed the importance of prevention rather than treatment, saying that better awareness could reduce pressure on Bangladesh's healthcare system.

Tarique also urged the media to play a strong watchdog role, encouraging critical reporting while cautioning against criticism for its own sake.

"The media should criticise when necessary, but not just for the sake of criticising," he said.

He also called on news organisations to pay greater attention to marginal farmers, who he said were often overlooked in public discourse.

"There are 15 million marginal farmers in Bangladesh who hardly get a chance to vent," he said, urging journalists to give voice to one of the country's most vulnerable communities.

Tarique said, "The new generation is looking for guidance – the new generation wants hope. And it's not just the new generation -- every generation is seeking some form of guidance. Those of us who are involved in politics may face many expectations, and it may not be possible to fulfil all of them."

"If we keep 1971, 1990, and August 5, 2024, before us and work for the country's independence and sovereignty…I firmly believe we will be able to guide the nation in the right direction," he added.