Bangladesh is going through an upheaval. The July revolution has redrawn the political map, weakening the Awami League and giving the Bangladesh Nationalist Party its best chance in years to argue that it can lead the nation forward. But opportunity means nothing if it is wasted. Tarique Rahman, BNP’s interim chairperson, is in danger of doing just that by staying out of sight at the very moment his party needs visibility and authority most.
Uprisings create leaders or expose pretenders.
In Bangladesh, the Monsoon Uprising of July-August 2024 has shaken the political order and opened a path for the BNP to reclaim relevance after years of being pushed aside. For the first time in more than a decade, the party has a genuine chance to convince the nation it is ready to lead into the next chapter.
But opportunity is fleeting. Right now, BNP’s interim chairperson Tarique Rahman risks squandering rare political momentum by staying out of sight and out of reach of the mainstream media.
Mr. Rahman is not exactly media shy. During BNP’s last term in office (2001-2006), he gave several interviews, particularly on television, that gave the public a measure of who he was at the time. His youthful swagger, however, did not sit well with much of the urban middle class, which many would argue were swayed by narratives shaped by powerful Awami-leaning media houses.
After 1/11, the military-backed caretaker government (2007-08) that stepped in amid the deadlock between BNP, then led by his mother Khaleda Zia, and the Awami League, coverage of Mr Rahman turned even harsher, especially from outlets seen as sympathetic to Awami League.
During Awami League’s 15 and a half years in power from 2009 to 2024, Tarique Rahman’s voice all but disappeared from the mainstream press. His words reached the public mostly through party statements or video links to rallies. This was partly because of political pressure and legal restrictions, but also because of his own decision to remain absent.
The Monsoon Uprising has changed that landscape. With the Awami League weakened, both mainstream and alternative media are enjoying freedoms they lacked for years. This creates an opening. So, what is stopping Mr Rahman from speaking directly to the swing electorate, the silent majority who will decide the country’s next government?
It is time for Tarique Rahman to face journalists, both local and international—not through carefully drafted press releases or curated video messages, but in person, openly, and with a willingness to take questions. His distance from the media is no longer a private quirk. It is a political liability.
Silence Breeds Doubt
BNP supporters may argue that Mr Rahman has endured years of persecution—legal, political and personal—and that caution is justified. But in politics, perception matters as much as reality. Every day he avoids direct engagement, doubts fester.
Non-partisan voters, the very constituency BNP needs to win over, are left wondering: does Mr Rahman have a vision for Bangladesh beyond opposing Sheikh Hasina? Is he prepared to govern, or is he only interested in reclaiming power? Can he defend policies under scrutiny, or does he fear hard questions?
These doubts are not abstract. They shape behaviour at the ballot box. Voters weary of Awami League’s dominance but unconvinced of BNP’s readiness will remain undecided. And indecision does not shift through whispers; it shifts under the bright lights of scrutiny.
Outshone By The Rivals
The irony is that Mr Rahman’s opponents, and even BNP’s allies, understand this better than he does. Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), despite their own controversies, consistently make themselves available to the media. They appear on talk shows, take unscripted questions at rallies, and grant interviews to local and sometimes international outlets.
They are visible.
This visibility allows them to define their own narratives rather than letting rivals define them.
Mr Rahman, by contrast, remains elusive. For the interim chairperson of one of Bangladesh’s largest political parties, that absence is glaring. He cannot afford to appear less accessible than those with far less political capital.
A Moment Ripe For Reintroduction
The Monsoon Uprising has left a vacuum in leadership. Bangladeshis, young and old, urban and rural, are asking what comes next.
How will the economy stabilise? How will justice be restored? How can democratic norms be rebuilt?
This is Mr Rahman’s moment to reintroduce himself. A press conference or a round of interviews could reset that dynamic overnight.
Instead of being a name whispered about in drawing rooms, he would become a visible, accountable political leader speaking directly to the people. Even if he stumbles, showing up signals confidence. Staying silent only cements the caricature of a leader unwilling, or unable, to defend himself.
Lessons From Global Politics
History shows what happens when opposition leaders embrace or avoid scrutiny. In Pakistan, Imran Khan’s rise was powered not only by rallies but by his willingness to speak directly to journalists, including hostile ones. His accessibility earned him credibility with younger voters. In Britain, Sir Keir Starmer’s steady media appearances helped rebuild Labour’s reputation after its 2019 collapse.
There are cautionary tales too. In the US, Kamala Harris suffered from being perceived as undefined. Despite holding the vice-presidency, her campaign faltered because many voters felt they did not know who she was, what she believed, or how she would lead. Lack of definition proved fatal. The same risk looms for Mr Rahman: if voters do not get to know him, they will not trust him with power.
Political legitimacy today is built not only on rallies or alliances but on direct, visible accountability. If Tarique Rahman wants to be seen as a prime minister-in-waiting, he must start acting like one.
Winning Over The Swing Voters
BNP’s core base is loyal but not large enough to guarantee victory. The swing lies with those who distrust both major parties yet crave stability and reform. These voters are pragmatic. They want proof that BNP can govern responsibly. Slogans and electoral manifesto will not suffice. They will expect Mr. Rahman to answer tough questions.
How will BNP revive the economy after years of inflation and debt? What is its plan for restoring democratic institutions? How will it handle the army, the police, the bureaucracy?
If he avoids the media, these voters will fill the silence with assumptions. And assumptions rarely favour the absent.
International Credibility At Stake
Beyond the domestic audience lies the international one. Bangladesh is under scrutiny from foreign governments, donors, and rights organisations. They want assurances that a post-Hasina Bangladesh will be stable, democratic, and cooperative.
If Tarique Rahman wants to be taken seriously abroad, he must appear before international journalists, field their probing questions, and set out BNP’s diplomatic and economic agenda. Western capitals, in particular, will not be convinced by second-hand statements or party surrogates. They will judge BNP by its leader’s ability to withstand scrutiny.
What Transparency Signals
Facing the press is not only about answering questions. It is about signalling values. A leader who stands before journalists and submits to challenge signals belief in transparency, accountability, and democratic discourse.
For BNP, long accused of being a party of backroom deals and dynastic privilege, this signal is crucial. A single well-handled press conference could do more to restore its credibility than a hundred rallies. It would show that Mr Rahman is not afraid of democracy in action.
The Risk Of Staying Silent
The dangers of inaction are clear.
Narrative vacuum: Awami League will continue to brand him as a fugitive, a corrupt dynast, and an untested leader. Without his own words on record, those attacks will stick.
Alienating youth: Bangladesh’s younger generation, energised by the Monsoon Uprising, demands openness. Leaders who hide from questions will be dismissed as relics of a discredited past.
Lost momentum: Revolutions create windows of opportunity, but they close quickly. BNP cannot assume that anger with Awami League will automatically translate into support.
Tarique Rahman now stands at a crossroads. He can remain silent, letting others speak for him, and risk being sidelined by history. Or he can seize this moment, face the press, and present himself as the leader Bangladesh needs for the next chapter.
No one expects perfection. Journalists will press him, some will be hostile, and mistakes will be made. It’s better to be flawed in the open than to be perfect in secret.
Bangladesh deserves to hear directly from the man who aspires to lead it. Mr Rahman must show he respects the people enough to answer their questions. He must show he believes in democracy enough to embrace scrutiny. And he must show he has the courage not just to oppose but to lead.
The Monsoon Uprising has created a rare chance for change. Whether that change carries BNP into power will depend on one man’s willingness to speak. It’s time for Tarique Rahman to step out of the shadows.
Adil Mahmood is a former journalist.
