As dusk fell on Sunday, Bangladesh’s prime minister-in-waiting, Tarique Rahman, BNP chairman, left his Gulshan office carrying a simple but powerful message: unity first.
By 7:10pm, Tarique arrived at the home of Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, in Block E of the upscale Bashundhara Residential Area. The visit, closely watched by party leaders, activists, and a sizeable law enforcement presence, was part of a carefully orchestrated post-election outreach.
From there, Tarique is scheduled to continue his evening with a stop at Nahid Islam’s residence in Badda, demonstrating his intent to engage with allied and friendly parties across the new parliament.
These gestures come in the wake of the BNP’s decisive triumph in Thursday’s national election, where the party secured 209 seats – putting it in a position to form the next government. In the same election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, while the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) secured six.
At a post-election press conference on Saturday, Tarique laid out the vision behind these home visits: fostering cooperation, bridging gaps, and building a “safe, humane and democratic Bangladesh.”
“On this journey, I seek the cooperation of all, regardless of party or opinion,” he said. Acknowledging that fierce electoral competition may have left tensions in its wake, he urged restraint. “I urge everyone to ensure that disputes do not escalate into revenge or retaliation,” Tarique added, emphasising that justice and the rule of law will form the cornerstone of his government.
Political analysts view these personal visits as more than mere courtesy calls. They are a symbolic step toward dialogue, partnership, and a collaborative spirit in a parliament that now carries a mix of old alliances and newly forged relationships.
In a city still abuzz from the election, Tarique’s evening rounds – quietly executed yet highly visible – signal a new style of leadership: one that blends authority with outreach, and political victory with an appeal for unity.