Is BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman coming to the country or not able to come - this question is also on our mind. However, as it was thought until now that Tarique Rahman would return to the country only when the situation in the country stabilizes a little or the election schedule is announced, Tarique Rahman himself has drawn a big question mark. As a result, it is now clear that he is actually unable to come. Because the issue of returning to the country is not under his sole control. The question is, who or what is controlling it?
Tarique Rahman posted a post on his verified Facebook page from London on Saturday morning, Bangladesh time. There he wrote, ‘In such a crisis, I have a strong desire to receive the affection and touch of my mother like any child. But like everyone else, my sole decision-making ability in implementing this is not unfettered and under sole control.’
After such statements came to light that Tarique Rahman’s decision to return to the country is not in his own hands, many people have raised the question: is it up to the interim government? Is the government not making arrangements for his return to the country or is there any legal, political or strategic problem on his way back to the country?
However, that does not seem to be the case in the conversations of the government’s advisors and other important people. The chief advisor’s press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, also made it clear that there is no obstacle from the interim government in Tarique Rahman’s return to the country. In a Facebook post on Saturday, the press secretary wrote, ‘There is no restriction or any objection from the government in this regard.’
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s eldest son, Tarique Rahman, left prison in 2008 after the One-Eleven and went to the UK with his family. He has not returned to the country since then. He has been running the party from abroad.
After the Awami League was ousted from power in the July coup last year, Tarique Rahman’s convictions in various cases were overturned, and although it was repeatedly said that Tarique Rahman would return to the country soon, no one could say a specific date. But recently, after Khaleda Zia’s health deteriorated and after the media reported that her life was in critical condition, it was heard that Tarique Rahman might come to the country very soon. But in such a reality, Tarique Rahman made it clear in a Facebook post that it is not very easy for him to return to the country.
More than a year has passed since the fall of the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina in the face of a coup, but why Tarique Rahman is not or cannot come to the country is undoubtedly an important political question. But the exact answer is still unknown.
Tarique Rahman’s lawyers have repeatedly said that the cases against him have been settled, so there is no obstacle to his return to the country. It is also believed that, despite some legal complications, Tarique Rahman is not at risk of being arrested if he returns home. Therefore, despite all this, what could be the real reason behind Tarique Rahman’s inability to return home, or whether any domestic or foreign power is controlling the matter, is the question becoming stronger in the public mind.
Several reasons are mentioned behind Tarique Rahman’s failure to return or his inability to return to the country. The biggest reason is probably his security threat. There is also the question of whether this security risk is internal or international. However, many believe that the security risk to a politician’s life cannot be an obstacle to returning to his own country - if the people are with him. Beyond academic arguments and emotions, the interpretation of some issues may differ from person to person. The extent of Tarique Rahman’s security risk and what impact he will have on the country’s politics if he really comes to the country and is in danger is a very big question.
There is a fear floating in the air that a foreign power or foreign intelligence agency may try to assassinate Tarique Rahman. If so, then whether that fear still exists, that is, whether that risk remains for Tarique Rahman even after August 5, is also a big question.
Another question on the public’s mind is, is there still a force within the country that is threatening Tarique Rahman, because of which he is afraid to come to the country? If there really is such a force, then does BNP not have the political power to confront them? However, it is still not clear whether Tarique Rahman is really not coming to the country due to the security risk to his life or if there is some other reason behind this.
Many people believe that Tarique Rahman will return to the limelight of the country’s politics if he returns home. So, those who want the election to be delayed or those who think that the country’s politics will start running in the same direction as before if BNP comes to power, is the government waiting for their green signal to pave the way for Tarique Rahman’s return? If there is really a party for whom it is difficult for Tarique Rahman to return to the country without a green signal-is that party more powerful than BNP?
Incidentally, in the 237 seats that BNP initially announced on November 3 ahead of the 13th National Parliament elections, Tarique Rahman’s name is in the Bogura 6 seat. But the question is, is Tarique Rahman still a citizen or voter of Bangladesh? Did he surrender his Bangladeshi passport after leaving for London under various tortures and pressures during the 11-12 government? What is his status in London and is he still a voter of Bangladesh? If he is not a voter, how was his name announced as a candidate for the Bogura 6 seat; If he is not a voter, is it possible for him to return to the country before the next election to become a voter? These questions are also on the public mind.
These questions have become even more relevant, especially after Tarique Rahman’s latest post about his mother. We may have to wait a few more days to know the answers to these questions. But the truth about who is really controlling Tarique Rahman’s return to the country may ultimately remain hidden.
Ultimately, it is difficult to believe that Tarique Rahman’s return to the country will change the country’s politics or that the crises and chaos the country is currently going through will disappear overnight. But there is ample reason to believe that it will be much easier for the BNP to create the kind of political pressure needed to keep the country on the right track and quickly begin the journey towards a democratic system by restoring people’s voting rights.
