DHAKA — Tarique Rahman, chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on Saturday called for national unity after his party secured a two-thirds majority in the country’s general elections.The BNP won 209 seats in the 300-member parliament in Thursday’s vote and is set to form the next government, with Rahman expected to become prime minister.The Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance captured 77 seats and will sit in opposition.The Awami League of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was barred from participating after her government was ousted in 2024 following student-led protests and a crackdown that left around 1,400 people dead.In his first address since the election, Rahman acknowledged the scale of the challenges ahead.“We are taking office at a time when we have to start our journey through a fragile economy, ineffective constitutional institutions, and weak law and order situation left by a fascist regime. However, if the people’s strength is with us, no obstacle can stop us,” he said.On foreign policy, Rahman said the incoming government would pursue a pragmatic approach guided by national interest rather than alignment with any specific country.“We do not have any country-centric policy,” he said, adding that decisions would be based on “Bangladeshi interests.”Emphasizing unity, he urged citizens to move forward together.“National unity is our strength, division is our weakness,” Rahman said. “This victory belongs to democracy, this victory belongs to Bangladesh, this victory belongs to the democracy-loving people of the country. From today, we are free.”He also pledged to uphold the rule of law and protect citizens regardless of political or social affiliation.“We will not tolerate any kind of injustice or illegal activities. Regardless of party, opinion, religion, ethnicity, or differing views, we will not accept any attack by the strong against the weak under any pretext,” he said.
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