BNP’s Tarique Calls for Maintaining Law and Order at Any Cost in Bangladesh

PTI, DHAKA, FEB 14, 2026: BNP chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday called for maintaining law and order "at any cost" and sought cooperation from all in building a safe and humane Bangladesh.

Rahman's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday secured a sweeping victory with more than two-thirds majority in the landmark Parliamentary elections. The BNP leader is set to become the Prime Minister for the first time. He will replace the interim government chief Muhammad Yunus.

Addressing a press conference a day after the landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary polls, Rahman said: "We need everyone's cooperation to build a safe and humane Bangladesh. This time, everyone must play a responsible role in rebuilding the country."

"No injustice can be done to anyone on any excuse. Law and order must be maintained at any cost," Rahman was quoted as saying by The Dhaka Tribune.

Rahman said the freedom-loving people of the country had made BNP victorious, describing the outcome as "the victory of the people."

"From today, everyone is free. Congratulations to all. With the participation of all, the journey of a fascism-free state has begun in the country," the BNP chairman said.

"Everyone's thoughts are important in building the country. We will build the country based on everyone's opinions," he said.

The BNP leader said the party will follow a foreign policy that protects the country's interests in its dealings with China, India, and Pakistan, newspaper Dhaka Tribune said. Bangladesh's foreign policy will be guided by "the greater interests of Bangladesh and its people," Rahman said.

About Bangladesh's future relations with China and the Belt and Road Initiative, he said: "If something is not in Bangladesh's interest, naturally we cannot pursue it. I am certain that mutual interests will be our first priority."

Dhaka Tribune further said that Rahman also spoke about revival of SAARC - the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation - saying, "SAARC was established through Bangladesh's initiative. We want it to function. We will discuss with our friendly states and try to revive SAARC."

The elections brought BNP to power with two-thirds majority after the party virtually went through nearly two decades of political wilderness.

BNP's former ally, the Jamaat-e-Islami, known to be close to Islamabad and which opposed Bangladesh's independence in 1971, emerged as the main opposition in a changed political landscape.

Deposed Prime Minister Hasina's Awami League was debarred by the outgoing interim government to take part in the polls.

The 13th Parliamentary elections assumed significance as they were held after a period of tumultuous political vacuum, instability, and fragile security situation, including widespread attacks on minorities after the student-led protests brought down the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

According to the Election Commission (EC), the BNP has bagged 209 out of 297 seats, while right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats. Hasina's Awami League party was barred from contesting the polls, which recorded 59.44 per cent voter turnout.