‘Political thought’ of Tarique Rahman

BNP leader Tarique Rahman is in august company – of leaders with a body of ‘political thought’ to offer.

But unlike greats whose writings are compiled to provide a glimpse of their thinking, Rahman’s ‘political thought’ has been now made available to his countrymen by a book put together by 17 contributors, mostly fellow party colleagues but two foreigners as well.

Rahman, the eldest son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, was present at the book’s launch on Wednesday (UK local time) at the Cambridge University’s Churchill Auditorium by the publisher ‘Bangladesh Policy Forum’.

The BNP leader is currently living in the UK for the past five years with 18 cases against him in Bangladesh.

This is the second time he officially appeared in a public event in the UK.

Over a month ago, he joined a BNP UK unit programme to back up his party’s push for a caretaker administration to conduct the parliament polls – but that attracted huge fire from the Awami League.

The book is titled ‘Political Thought of Tarique Rahman”

Tarique himself attended the entire programme but did not address the crowd. Only once did he stand in front of camera, but it was to pose with the book and discussants.

The book was launched by Francis Davis, ‘Res Publica’s Fellow and former director of Oxford University’s Las Casas Institute of Ethics, Human Rights and Social Justice.

Davis said a political government should never be accepted if it oppresses the people and justify torture for governance. “I think this book speaks of hope. This is also to bridge the rural-urban divide.”

Young Foundation Director David Edgar and ex-European Parliament Member John Clayton also addressed the programe. They praised Tarique’s ‘thoughts’ on empowering the people grassroots.

“Many think that politicians do not give importance to the people. But Tarique Rahman is not that man.”

Advisor to BNP Chairperson, Amir Khashru Mahmud Chowdhury, was also present in the programme.

Two of the 17 writers of this book are foreigners – British columnist David Nicholson and freelance journalist James Smith.

Other writers include senior BNP leader Moudud Ahmed, former Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar, BNP-biased journalist Shawkat Mahmud and Maniruzzaman Mia.

The almost 200-page book was edited by journalists Saleh Shibli, Humayun Kabir, Mahdi Amin and Ashik Islam.