ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman said differences of opinion should not escalate into conflict, stressing that dialogue and democratic practice are the only sustainable paths forward for the nation, state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported on Saturday.
Speaking at an exchange of views with editors and journalists from national-level media outlets in Dhaka, the son of former Bangladeshi prime minister late Khaleda Zia said, “Even if there are differences of opinion, they must be reduced through discussion. Differences should not escalate to the level of conflict.”
Referring to recent history, Rahman said, “The nation has seen the consequences of vengeance or retaliation on August 5, 2024,” adding that violence, revenge, and division have brought despair but also lessons for the future.
“We saw on August 5 what the consequences of violence, revenge, and vengeance can be — whether for an individual, a party, or the nation,” he said.
Emphasizing unity, Rahman urged people of all political affiliations to resolve disagreements through discussion rather than confrontation.
“If we try, perhaps we can resolve many problems by keeping those differences as differences and solving them through discussions,” he said.
'Must maintain the democratic process'
Highlighting the importance of democracy, the BNP chairman said, “At any cost, we must maintain the democratic process,” noting that elections must be held at all levels.
“If the democratic process continues uninterrupted, solving the country’s problems is possible,” he added, expressing hope that the process would begin on February 12.
Rahman said reforms must address constitutional and legal issues as well as people’s daily lives.
“There have been some fundamental issues like people’s daily lives, security, healthcare, employment, and children’s education,” he said, pledging that politics should not remain limited to seminars and symposiums.
Women empowerment
Outlining BNP’s future plans, Rahman discussed initiatives including women’s economic empowerment, a universal Family Card, a Krishak Card for farmers, grassroots healthcare workers, expatriate skill development, youth employment, and IT sector expansion.
“Half of the country’s populations are women; development is impossible, leaving them behind,” he said.
The BNP chairman said, "If we can form a government with the people's mandate in the upcoming elections, initiatives will be taken to make women economically self-reliant.”
