Print: 28 Oct 2025
BNP National Executive Committee member Ishraque Hossain. File Photo
BNP National Executive Committee member Ishraque Hossain has said that their party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is working to establish a new form of politics aimed at the welfare of the state and its people, rejecting what he described as the unhealthy politics and the trend of fascism and autocracy practised by Sheikh Hasina and her party, the Awami League.
“In the post-uprising situation, the people of the country want a change in political culture from politicians. They want peace, stability, and democracy in the country through the holding of a constitutional parliamentary election. Our acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has given all the necessary instructions to our party members to pursue politics according to the wishes and expectations of the people,” he told the Daily Sun in an exclusive interview.
When asked whether Tarique Rahman had given him any special instructions during his meeting with him in London, Ishraque replied, “Whenever I go to London, I usually meet him and he gives necessary guidance. But I speak to him almost every day over the phone on various issues. He is constantly sending us messages and instructions – messages which he wants us to convey to the people.”
Quoting Tarique Rahman, Ishraque said he had been instructed, “In the post-uprising situation, politics in Bangladesh can no longer continue in the same way. We must move away from the negative aspects of politics and the practices established during the fascist regime. We must present ourselves to the people in a new way, and clearly communicate what we will do for their welfare in the days ahead.”
He noted that, as part of his initiative to practise a new version of politics focused on people’s welfare, Tarique Rahman had already introduced a 31-point state reform agenda.
“These reform points are a special message from him to the nation. Reform is a continuous process. According to our acting chairman, we are communicating to the people what we are doing, and what we will do for them. We are informing them of the plan he has devised to build a prosperous new Bangladesh and take the country forward.”
Responding to a question about Tarique Rahman’s views on the younger generation, Ishraque – who contested the most recent Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayoral election – said that he was simultaneously planning to rebuild the state in line with the aspirations of the new generation while reorganising the party by injecting fresh blood to prepare it for the future.
“For instance, he nominated me to run for the Dhaka South City mayoral polls at the age of 33 under the sheaf of paddy symbol. This was a significant opportunity, particularly for a candidate from a party that has held power three times. It shows that he is reorganising the party and bringing the younger generation to the forefront, preparing them to lead the Bangladesh of the future,” he said.
The BNP leader added that many young, qualified individuals had already joined the party leadership at various levels and in affiliated organisations.
“Many new leaders have emerged through our Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal. He has created opportunities for us to engage in politics,” he noted.
Ishraque said Tarique Rahman had presented the 31-point state reform agenda with a focus on building a new Bangladesh that follows global trends and appeals to Generation Z.
“If BNP is voted into power, our party will implement it. He has emphasised our commitment to democracy and sovereignty within the plan. He has asked us to make decisions based on these principles, and our future political practices will reflect them. He constantly instructs us in this regard.”
Asked about measures being taken by the acting chairman to ensure party discipline – particularly in response to allegations of misconduct by some leaders and activists in different parts of the country – Ishraque said Tarique Rahman had already initiated a “clean-up operation” within the party.
“He has conveyed a clear message that no wrongdoing will be tolerated. He has already expelled and issued show-cause notices to several thousand party members allegedly involved in misdeeds. By taking such disciplinary action, he is also sending a strong signal about the type of politics we will practise in the future and how we will correct ourselves. These measures are ongoing. A few individuals are misusing the party’s name, but the party itself does not condone such actions. We do not have the authority to take legal measures, but if the current government initiates legal proceedings, we are ready to cooperate,” he said.
When asked if the BNP is confident in its ability to build a new Bangladesh, Ishraque replied, “I believe the BNP can achieve this now. At one time, many said that there would never be change in Bangladesh, especially when the country was firmly under one-party rule. We saw no one protesting then. But we always said that change is possible, that we must resist injustice and mobilise the people. We kept the movement alive, believing that BNP could bring change. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party remains committed to building a new country.”
The reporter can be reached at: [email protected]
Edited by M Munir Hossain
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Tarique Rahman steering new politics focused on welfare of state, people
BNP leader Ishraque Hossain tells Daily Sun in an exclusive interview
BNP National Executive Committee member Ishraque Hossain. File Photo
BNP National Executive Committee member Ishraque Hossain has said that their party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is working to establish a new form of politics aimed at the welfare of the state and its people, rejecting what he described as the unhealthy politics and the trend of fascism and autocracy practised by Sheikh Hasina and her party, the Awami League.
“In the post-uprising situation, the people of the country want a change in political culture from politicians. They want peace, stability, and democracy in the country through the holding of a constitutional parliamentary election. Our acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has given all the necessary instructions to our party members to pursue politics according to the wishes and expectations of the people,” he told the Daily Sun in an exclusive interview.
When asked whether Tarique Rahman had given him any special instructions during his meeting with him in London, Ishraque replied, “Whenever I go to London, I usually meet him and he gives necessary guidance. But I speak to him almost every day over the phone on various issues. He is constantly sending us messages and instructions – messages which he wants us to convey to the people.”
Quoting Tarique Rahman, Ishraque said he had been instructed, “In the post-uprising situation, politics in Bangladesh can no longer continue in the same way. We must move away from the negative aspects of politics and the practices established during the fascist regime. We must present ourselves to the people in a new way, and clearly communicate what we will do for their welfare in the days ahead.”
He noted that, as part of his initiative to practise a new version of politics focused on people’s welfare, Tarique Rahman had already introduced a 31-point state reform agenda.
“These reform points are a special message from him to the nation. Reform is a continuous process. According to our acting chairman, we are communicating to the people what we are doing, and what we will do for them. We are informing them of the plan he has devised to build a prosperous new Bangladesh and take the country forward.”
Responding to a question about Tarique Rahman’s views on the younger generation, Ishraque – who contested the most recent Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayoral election – said that he was simultaneously planning to rebuild the state in line with the aspirations of the new generation while reorganising the party by injecting fresh blood to prepare it for the future.
“For instance, he nominated me to run for the Dhaka South City mayoral polls at the age of 33 under the sheaf of paddy symbol. This was a significant opportunity, particularly for a candidate from a party that has held power three times. It shows that he is reorganising the party and bringing the younger generation to the forefront, preparing them to lead the Bangladesh of the future,” he said.
The BNP leader added that many young, qualified individuals had already joined the party leadership at various levels and in affiliated organisations.
“Many new leaders have emerged through our Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal. He has created opportunities for us to engage in politics,” he noted.
Ishraque said Tarique Rahman had presented the 31-point state reform agenda with a focus on building a new Bangladesh that follows global trends and appeals to Generation Z.
“If BNP is voted into power, our party will implement it. He has emphasised our commitment to democracy and sovereignty within the plan. He has asked us to make decisions based on these principles, and our future political practices will reflect them. He constantly instructs us in this regard.”
Asked about measures being taken by the acting chairman to ensure party discipline – particularly in response to allegations of misconduct by some leaders and activists in different parts of the country – Ishraque said Tarique Rahman had already initiated a “clean-up operation” within the party.
“He has conveyed a clear message that no wrongdoing will be tolerated. He has already expelled and issued show-cause notices to several thousand party members allegedly involved in misdeeds. By taking such disciplinary action, he is also sending a strong signal about the type of politics we will practise in the future and how we will correct ourselves. These measures are ongoing. A few individuals are misusing the party’s name, but the party itself does not condone such actions. We do not have the authority to take legal measures, but if the current government initiates legal proceedings, we are ready to cooperate,” he said.
When asked if the BNP is confident in its ability to build a new Bangladesh, Ishraque replied, “I believe the BNP can achieve this now. At one time, many said that there would never be change in Bangladesh, especially when the country was firmly under one-party rule. We saw no one protesting then. But we always said that change is possible, that we must resist injustice and mobilise the people. We kept the movement alive, believing that BNP could bring change. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party remains committed to building a new country.”
The reporter can be reached at: [email protected]
Edited by M Munir Hossain