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Tarique Rahman’s make-or-break moment
AS BANGLADESH navigates through one of the most transformative political transitions in its history, Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, finds himself at the centre of this unfolding drama. The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year autocratic regime, led by a...
www.newagebd.net
Tarique Rahman’s make-or-break moment
HM Nazmul Alam 30 September, 2024, 00:00
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman. | Agence France-Presse/Henry Nicholls
AS BANGLADESH navigates through one of the most transformative political transitions in its history, Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, finds himself at the centre of this unfolding drama. The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year autocratic regime, led by a student-mass uprising, has created a political vacuum and the possibility of long-overdue reforms. In this turbulent time, all eyes are on Tarique Rahman, and questions are being asked: Can he evolve beyond the shadows of his family’s political legacy? Will he embrace the demands of a new generation, particularly Gen Z, who are at the forefront of this political revolution?
Tarique Rahman’s political journey has been anything but conventional. From being labelled as an heir to a political dynasty to spending years in exile, he has witnessed both the pinnacles of power and the depths of political isolation. Now, in a Bangladesh that is fractured but full of hope, he is called upon to redefine not just his own political narrative but that of the entire nation. This is a moment that demands political maturity and an understanding that the rules of the game have changed. The aspirations of the younger generation — those who have grown up amid the frustrations of corruption, authoritarianis and economic disparity — are far different from those of previous generations.
Crossroads of a political career
At this crucial juncture, Tarique Rahman faces a challenge unlike any other. He is not merely being called upon to lead a political party; he is being asked by many to steer a nation. The recent student-led uprising, which resulted in the ousting of the Awami League government, was not just a rejection of one party but a resounding cry for a new kind of politics — one that is transparent, inclusive and forward-thinking.
Tarique Rahman’s recent actions and speeches, especially during and after the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, demonstrate a shift in his political approach. This is not the Tarique Rahman of the past, often accused of being entangled in the politics of revenge and patronage. Rather, this is a leader who appears to understand the pulse of the people and the urgency of addressing their needs.
His messages on social media, particularly his congratulatory message to the students and protesters after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime, reflect a leader who is learning to speak the language of the new generation. By acknowledging the power of the people and emphasising the courage and sense of justice that fuelled the uprising, Tarique Rahman is positioning himself as a leader who values the collective will of the people over personal vendettas.
But words alone will not suffice. The road ahead for Tarique Rahman is fraught with challenges, and he must prove that he is capable of rising above the old political narratives that have dominated Bangladeshi politics for decades. In a nation weary of dynastic politics, corruption and authoritarianism, there is little room for the mistakes of the past. The question is: Can Tarique Rahman break free from the legacy of his predecessors and chart a new course for Bangladesh?
New generation, new politics
Perhaps the most significant factor in Tarique Rahman’s political evolution will be his ability to connect with Gen Z. This generation, born in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has grown up in a vastly different world from the one in which Tarique’s father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, or his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, governed. They are digital natives, shaped by social media, global movements for democracy and social justice, and a growing awareness of environmental and economic issues.
Gen Z in Bangladesh, like their counterparts around the world, are disillusioned with traditional politics. They have seen how corruption, authoritarianism and cronyism have stifled their country’s potential. They have witnessed the erosion of democratic institutions and the suppression of dissent. For them, politics is not just about power; it is about representation, justice and the protection of freedoms.
Tarique Rahman must recognise that the politics of the past, built on patronage networks, loyalty to party leaders and the manipulation of state institutions, will no longer resonate with this generation. Gen Z demands accountability, transparency and a politics that prioritises the common good over individual gain. They want leaders who can address pressing issues like justice, unemployment and social inequality and who are willing to embrace innovation in governance, including the use of technology for greater citizen engagement.
In his recent statements, Tarique has hinted at understanding this shift. His call for ensuring every citizen’s right to vote, his emphasis on free and fair elections, and his recognition of the role technology must play in governance all speak to a leader who is attempting to align with the values of the new generation. But again, alignment is not enough — there must be action.
Need for structural change
IF TARIQUE Rahman is to truly succeed in this new political landscape, he must go beyond rhetoric and implement structural changes that reflect the aspirations of today’s Bangladesh. This includes reforming the judiciary, ensuring the independence of the media and dismantling the deeply entrenched patronage networks that have long defined Bangladeshi politics.
A crucial test will be how he approaches economic reform. Bangladesh, while experiencing impressive economic growth in recent years, remains plagued by inequality and corruption. The youth are acutely aware of the need for economic justice. They seek a Bangladesh where opportunities are not limited to the well-connected but are available to all based on merit.
Tarique’s leadership will also be judged by how he handles the issue of job creation. Bangladesh’s youth face an unemployment crisis that has only been exacerbated by the global economic downturn and the pandemic. The youth are not content with waiting for trickle-down benefits from economic growth — they want policies that create jobs now, particularly in the tech and green industries that are reshaping economies worldwide.
Breaking with past
PERHAPS the most significant challenge for Tarique Rahman will be to prove that he is not bound by the past. His family’s political legacy, while revered by many, also carries the baggage of controversies and corruption allegations. To lead a truly new Bangladesh, Tarique must show that he is not simply the continuation of that legacy but a leader in his own right, willing to break with the old ways of politics.
This means not only addressing the failures of previous governments but also holding accountable those within his own party who may have contributed to the country’s problems. It means promoting a political culture that values debate, dissent and diversity of thought. It means ensuring that power is not concentrated in the hands of a few but is distributed in a way that empowers ordinary citizens.
Tarique Rahman’s recent statements indicate that he understands the gravity of the moment. His commitment to supporting the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, his call for unity among political forces, and his insistence on free and fair elections are all positive signs. But as Bangladesh moves forward, Tarique will need to demonstrate that he is capable of not only speaking the language of democracy but living it.
Opportunity of a lifetime
IN THIS tumultuous and chaotic time, Tarique Rahman’s political maturity will be tested like never before. The people of Bangladesh, particularly its youth, are watching closely. If he can rise to the occasion, he has the chance to become not just a leader of his party but a leader of the people. But if he fails to understand the pulse of this new Bangladesh, he risks being consigned to the political sidelines.
The time for old politics is over. Now is the time for a new kind of leadership — one that listens, learns and leads with the people, especially the youth, at the heart of its mission. The future of Bangladesh depends on it.
HM Nazmul Alam is a lecturer in English and Modern Languages, International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology.
HM Nazmul Alam 30 September, 2024, 00:00
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman. | Agence France-Presse/Henry Nicholls
AS BANGLADESH navigates through one of the most transformative political transitions in its history, Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, finds himself at the centre of this unfolding drama. The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year autocratic regime, led by a student-mass uprising, has created a political vacuum and the possibility of long-overdue reforms. In this turbulent time, all eyes are on Tarique Rahman, and questions are being asked: Can he evolve beyond the shadows of his family’s political legacy? Will he embrace the demands of a new generation, particularly Gen Z, who are at the forefront of this political revolution?
Tarique Rahman’s political journey has been anything but conventional. From being labelled as an heir to a political dynasty to spending years in exile, he has witnessed both the pinnacles of power and the depths of political isolation. Now, in a Bangladesh that is fractured but full of hope, he is called upon to redefine not just his own political narrative but that of the entire nation. This is a moment that demands political maturity and an understanding that the rules of the game have changed. The aspirations of the younger generation — those who have grown up amid the frustrations of corruption, authoritarianis and economic disparity — are far different from those of previous generations.
Crossroads of a political career
At this crucial juncture, Tarique Rahman faces a challenge unlike any other. He is not merely being called upon to lead a political party; he is being asked by many to steer a nation. The recent student-led uprising, which resulted in the ousting of the Awami League government, was not just a rejection of one party but a resounding cry for a new kind of politics — one that is transparent, inclusive and forward-thinking.
Tarique Rahman’s recent actions and speeches, especially during and after the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, demonstrate a shift in his political approach. This is not the Tarique Rahman of the past, often accused of being entangled in the politics of revenge and patronage. Rather, this is a leader who appears to understand the pulse of the people and the urgency of addressing their needs.
His messages on social media, particularly his congratulatory message to the students and protesters after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime, reflect a leader who is learning to speak the language of the new generation. By acknowledging the power of the people and emphasising the courage and sense of justice that fuelled the uprising, Tarique Rahman is positioning himself as a leader who values the collective will of the people over personal vendettas.
But words alone will not suffice. The road ahead for Tarique Rahman is fraught with challenges, and he must prove that he is capable of rising above the old political narratives that have dominated Bangladeshi politics for decades. In a nation weary of dynastic politics, corruption and authoritarianism, there is little room for the mistakes of the past. The question is: Can Tarique Rahman break free from the legacy of his predecessors and chart a new course for Bangladesh?
New generation, new politics
Perhaps the most significant factor in Tarique Rahman’s political evolution will be his ability to connect with Gen Z. This generation, born in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has grown up in a vastly different world from the one in which Tarique’s father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, or his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, governed. They are digital natives, shaped by social media, global movements for democracy and social justice, and a growing awareness of environmental and economic issues.
Gen Z in Bangladesh, like their counterparts around the world, are disillusioned with traditional politics. They have seen how corruption, authoritarianism and cronyism have stifled their country’s potential. They have witnessed the erosion of democratic institutions and the suppression of dissent. For them, politics is not just about power; it is about representation, justice and the protection of freedoms.
Tarique Rahman must recognise that the politics of the past, built on patronage networks, loyalty to party leaders and the manipulation of state institutions, will no longer resonate with this generation. Gen Z demands accountability, transparency and a politics that prioritises the common good over individual gain. They want leaders who can address pressing issues like justice, unemployment and social inequality and who are willing to embrace innovation in governance, including the use of technology for greater citizen engagement.
In his recent statements, Tarique has hinted at understanding this shift. His call for ensuring every citizen’s right to vote, his emphasis on free and fair elections, and his recognition of the role technology must play in governance all speak to a leader who is attempting to align with the values of the new generation. But again, alignment is not enough — there must be action.
Need for structural change
IF TARIQUE Rahman is to truly succeed in this new political landscape, he must go beyond rhetoric and implement structural changes that reflect the aspirations of today’s Bangladesh. This includes reforming the judiciary, ensuring the independence of the media and dismantling the deeply entrenched patronage networks that have long defined Bangladeshi politics.
A crucial test will be how he approaches economic reform. Bangladesh, while experiencing impressive economic growth in recent years, remains plagued by inequality and corruption. The youth are acutely aware of the need for economic justice. They seek a Bangladesh where opportunities are not limited to the well-connected but are available to all based on merit.
Tarique’s leadership will also be judged by how he handles the issue of job creation. Bangladesh’s youth face an unemployment crisis that has only been exacerbated by the global economic downturn and the pandemic. The youth are not content with waiting for trickle-down benefits from economic growth — they want policies that create jobs now, particularly in the tech and green industries that are reshaping economies worldwide.
Breaking with past
PERHAPS the most significant challenge for Tarique Rahman will be to prove that he is not bound by the past. His family’s political legacy, while revered by many, also carries the baggage of controversies and corruption allegations. To lead a truly new Bangladesh, Tarique must show that he is not simply the continuation of that legacy but a leader in his own right, willing to break with the old ways of politics.
This means not only addressing the failures of previous governments but also holding accountable those within his own party who may have contributed to the country’s problems. It means promoting a political culture that values debate, dissent and diversity of thought. It means ensuring that power is not concentrated in the hands of a few but is distributed in a way that empowers ordinary citizens.
Tarique Rahman’s recent statements indicate that he understands the gravity of the moment. His commitment to supporting the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, his call for unity among political forces, and his insistence on free and fair elections are all positive signs. But as Bangladesh moves forward, Tarique will need to demonstrate that he is capable of not only speaking the language of democracy but living it.
Opportunity of a lifetime
IN THIS tumultuous and chaotic time, Tarique Rahman’s political maturity will be tested like never before. The people of Bangladesh, particularly its youth, are watching closely. If he can rise to the occasion, he has the chance to become not just a leader of his party but a leader of the people. But if he fails to understand the pulse of this new Bangladesh, he risks being consigned to the political sidelines.
The time for old politics is over. Now is the time for a new kind of leadership — one that listens, learns and leads with the people, especially the youth, at the heart of its mission. The future of Bangladesh depends on it.
HM Nazmul Alam is a lecturer in English and Modern Languages, International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology.
