A key meeting involving BNP’s Tarique Rahman has put the spotlight back on the party’s political direction ahead of the upcoming general elections, triggering debate over its future alliances and implications for regional ties, particularly with India.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Tarique Rahman, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has triggered fresh political debate after meeting a retired army officer known for his strong anti-India stance, raising questions about the party’s post-election direction ahead of national polls.
Rahman met Brigadier General Aman Azmi (retd) in Dhaka on Wednesday evening, according to people familiar with the development. Azmi, a former Bangladesh Army officer, is a known critic of India and the son of Ghulam Azam, the late Jamaat-e-Islami leader whose role during the 1971 Liberation War remains deeply controversial.
The interaction has drawn attention within political and diplomatic circles, with observers questioning whether the BNP leadership is signalling a shift in its political alignment.
Speculation over Pakistan, ISI links?
The meeting has fuelled speculation about the BNP’s possible future links with Pakistan and its intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). People familiar with Bangladesh–India relations say such signals could be detrimental to India’s security interests, particularly in the current regional context.
While there has been no official confirmation of any such links, the optics of the meeting have raised concerns amid heightened sensitivities ahead of the elections.
Rahman’s India outreach versus old associations
In his current political avatar, Rahman has appeared more receptive towards India, indicating a willingness to pursue a normal partnership if he were to become prime minister. However, Bangladesh watchers caution that his past associations with the ISI and Jamaat-e-Islami could resurface, potentially influencing him towards a pro-Pakistan approach aimed at keeping India in check.
His future moves are being closely watched, especially amid suggestions that Jamaat-e-Islami may be eager to join a future BNP-led government to advance its agenda.
Ghulam Azam’s controversial legacy
Ghulam Azam was a prominent Jamaat-e-Islami leader during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. He opposed the country’s independence and collaborated with the Pakistani Army by leading pro-Pakistan “Peace Committees”, which recruited members for paramilitary groups such as the Razakars, Al-Badr and Al-Shams. These groups were responsible for war crimes, genocide and the systematic killing of intellectuals.
Azam was later convicted by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity and sentenced to 90 years in prison. He was spared the death penalty due to his advanced age and died in 2014.
Azmi’s re-emergence after Hasina’s ouster
Bangladesh watchers say Aman Azmi remained untraced during the latter part of the Sheikh Hasina regime but resurfaced soon after her ouster. He is said to have played a role in cases brought against several senior army officers over alleged kidnappings and murders since August 2024.
Election backdrop
Bangladesh is scheduled to hold general elections on February 12, 2026. The polls will be the first national election since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in August 2024 following a student-led uprising.
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