In a significant organizational shift, Tarique Rahman has formally assumed the position of Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The decision was finalized during an emergency meeting of the BNP National Standing Committee held on Friday night at the party chairperson’s political office in Gulshan.
Following the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir briefed the press, confirming that the move aligns with the party’s constitution. Tarique Rahman, who had been serving as the Acting Chairman since 2018, fills the vacancy left by the passing of the former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson, Khaleda Zia.
“In accordance with the provisions of the party constitution, the National Standing Committee has unanimously decided to entrust Tarique Rahman with the responsibilities of the BNP Chairman,” Mirza Fakhrul stated.
Key Highlights from the Meeting:
- Leadership Transition: The National Standing Committee, the party’s highest policymaking body, formalizes Tarique Rahman’s leadership ahead of the upcoming national elections.
- Tour Postponement: Mirza Fakhrul also announced that Tarique Rahman’s scheduled tour of Northern Bangladesh has been postponed. A revised schedule will be provided at a later date.
- Political Strategy: The meeting, presided over by Tarique Rahman himself, included discussions on the country’s current political climate and the party’s strategic roadmap.
Attendance
The high-profile meeting saw the presence of senior leaders including:
- Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain
- Mirza Abbas
- Gayeshwar Chandra Roy
- Abdul Moyeen Khan
- Nazrul Islam Khan
- Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury
- Salahuddin Ahmed
- Selima Rahman
- Iqbal Hasan Mahmud
- Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed
- A Z M Zahid Hossain
The transition comes at a critical time for the BNP as it prepares for electoral challenges and navigates the political landscape following the recent death of Khaleda Zia.
