Bangladesh: BNP's ambition for power

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) - which suffered 16 years of persecution during the regime of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina - is expected to win the next general elections scheduled in February 2025. BNP's renewed power ambition got an impetus when the caretaker government of Dr Mohammad Yunus banned Awami League from conducting political activities and Tarique Zia, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, announced his return to Bangladesh after 17 years of self-exile in London to participate in the upcoming general elections.

Talking to BBC Bangla recently, Zia, who is the acting chairman of BNP, said: "The time has come, God willing, I will return soon. Maybe due to some personal reasons, the return has not happened yet. But I think the time has come. This is an election for which people had been waiting, I cannot keep myself away during this time." The poor health of his mother, Khaleda Zia, and his acquittal in corruption cases by courts provide an opportunity to Zia return to his country, reorganise BNP and contest the upcoming elections.

It will be interesting to see how BNP will face Jamaat-e-Islami and the youth-based National Citizens Party (NCP) in the elections. Zia is hopeful that his party will return victorious. NCP and Jamaat, which both spearheaded the popular movement against Sheikh Hasina that brought about her fall, are also hopeful of coming to power insisting that people want change. Awami League and BNP remained in power from 1991 till last year, but failed to meet the aspirations of the people. BNP which ruled in 1991-96 and 2001-07 was blamed for promoting corruption and nepotism. Whereas, Awami League, which remained in power from 1996 to 2001 and 2009 to 2024, is criticised for political persecution; curbs on media and letting India deepen its influence. Both the parties have lost public trust, still the BNP is hopeful that despite its poor performance in the past, it can win the 2026 general elections.

A news report in the October 7, 2025 issue of Daily Star titled "BNP confident it'll win, form govt alone", quotes Zia as lamenting that "during the past fascist government, a court order stopped my right to speak. If I wanted to say something to the media, maybe the media wanted to publish it, but they could not." In an interview with Financial Times, he said, "We're confident we will win… We strongly believe that we're in the position to form the government alone. I think the time is very close for my return to Bangladesh." During the BNP's last government, Zia was termed the most corrupt person. Transparency International named the last BNP's government as most corrupt. A leaked 2008 US diplomatic cable described Zia as "a symbol of kleptocratic government and violent politics" and said he was notorious for "flagrantly and frequently demanding bribes". Asked about BNP's past records, the former PM's son acknowledged that "any government has some flaws" but defended its performance on corruption, saying it was the BNP government that had established the Anti-Corruption Commission. He claimed that "false narratives" circulated by the Bangladeshi media had "formed the basis of the US cable", and said all cases against him were later dismissed.

Will the people of Bangladesh forget and forgive corruption and malpractices done during the BNP's rule? And how can Zia see himself absolve of the charges of bribery during her mother's reign as Prime Minister? After living in exile for 17 years, has Zia learned his lessons to restart his political career? In his interview with Financial Times, Zia said: "His party was prepared to form a government with other parties, including a new one led by students from the frontlines of last year's uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina. BNP had long maintained that the sooner the election is held, the sooner stability will return to the country."

Zia has also assured that on returning to power his party, unlike Awami League, will follow democratic principles, including political tolerance and freedom of the press.

Following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024, BNP got a new lease of life. Khaleda Zia who faced persecution during Sheikh Hasina's government was finally released and her son Tarique Zia was cleared by the courts. BNP took the opportunity to reform its image in the public by announcing a 31-point reform agenda. An article in Daily Star by Aishwarya Sanjukta Roy Proma published on June 26, 2025 under the headline "What is missing in BNP's reform agenda" says: "The 31 points are not without merit. In a political culture long dominated by winner-takes-all dynamics and centralized power, the BNP's willingness to publicly commit to electoral reforms, judicial independence, and decentralization is noteworthy. For instance, proposals to restructure the Election Commission, ensure media freedom, and depoliticize the bureaucracy directly address demands that civil society has made for years". The article further says, "If the BNP is serious about democratic transition, it must do more than promise change - it must model it. That means opening up its party structures, acknowledging past failures, and engaging the public in sustained dialogue. It also means treating citizens not just as voters, but as stakeholders in a shared democratic future. The same standards of scrutiny, transparency, and accountability must apply to all parties, whether in power or not. In that spirit, the BNP's agenda should be seen not as a finished product, but as an open invitation to debate, improve, and create a new democratic Bangladesh."

Tarique Zia's ambition for power needs to be examined from two sides.

First is his past which is riddled with corrupt practices. It will be a big challenge for him. On the contrary, his father, Major General (retd) Ziaur Rehman, who was President of Bangladesh from 1976-1981, was known for his honesty and integrity. In order to gain the confidence and respect of his people, Zia needs to refrain from corruption and nepotism. His real test will come if and when BNP will win elections and he will assume charge as Prime Minister.

Second, economy, governance and rule of law should be his priority. Ties with the US, China, India and Pakistan will pose challenges in foreign policy. Particularly, he needs to be mindful of the fact that Sheikh Hasina having support of New Delhi will continue seeking to destabilise his government, if established.