We don’t want to return to pre-5 August situation: Tarique

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said the country does not want to return to the situation that prevailed before 5 August 2024, acknowledging that while problems existed in the past and continue to exist, reverting to the earlier state is not the solution.

“Our problems existed and they still exist. But we certainly do not want to go back to the pre-5 August situation,” he said.

He made the remarks at a meeting with media professionals organised by BNP at Hotel Sheraton in the capital’s Banani.

Reflecting on different events, Tarique Rahman said, “If I think from my own position, on one side there is a funeral from 1981, on another side a funeral from 31 December 2025, and on the other side the incident of 5 August 2024. If BNP forms the government, it will steer the nation on the right path.”

He said these examples were not only relevant to him personally but also to the leaders, activists and members of his party, as well as to the people of the country as a whole. “These are perhaps the clearest examples of why there is no reason for us to return to the situation before 5 August,” he added.

Warning against violence and revenge, the BNP chairperson said the consequences of violence, retaliation and vengeance -- whether by an individual or a political group -- were evident from the events of 5 August.

“That is why I would urge everyone, regardless of party affiliation, to accept that differences of opinion will exist. If we make an effort, many of these issues can be resolved through discussion while keeping those differences intact,” he said.

He, however, cautioned that differences of opinion must not turn into divisions. “When differences escalate into division and the nation becomes fragmented, we have seen what the consequences can be,” he said.

Tarique Rahman noted that despite widespread frustration expressed by many people, there remains a sense of hope. “The hopeful sign is that people are still thinking about the future and have plans for it,” he added.

Revealing his own experience of seeing BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman up close after almost 17 years, Senior Journalist and Columnist Shahin Abdul Bari said, in today's greeting exchange program with journalists, Tarique Rahman was fluent, modest and very confident. There was a big difference between Tarique Rahman seen in the past and Tarique Rahman during today's meeting. His modesty and sense of moderation attracted everyone's attention.

He said, in this exchange program with senior journalists at Hotel Sheraton in Banani, he said less, listened more. By raising the security cordon in front of Dias, he gave a message to reduce distance with everyone. He forbade addressing him as Honorable or Gurumambhir. He listened to everyone and took notes. He went to all the journalists present and shook hands with them. He reminisced about old memories.

Tarique Rahman remembered and respected senior editors and senior journalists. He respectfully recalled the hundreds of atrocities against journalists, his family and party during the fascist era and the sacrifices of the July revolutionaries. He highlighted his dreams and plans for the country.

Meanwhile, the journalist community around Tarique Rahman is very happy and productive. Many are posting on Facebook to express their happiness. Some are very happy even asking questions. Some have also raised questions about oil rigging during the Awami League government. In their speeches, they have demanded that in the future, only BNP BIT journalists should be present at Tarique Rahman's press conferences and meetings-rallies.

In the exchange of views with journalists, Tarique Rahman spoke in a polite and fluent language. He won the hearts of everyone present. In his speech, Tarique Rahman also spoke in beautiful language about those who fled abroad during the fascism period.

However, many journalists who were opportunistic during the period of the fallen government were seen in the organized meeting. This issue is being discussed a lot on social media.

At the moment, Tarique Rahman is the most relevant in Bangladeshi politics. I hope that positive changes will come in all areas if he gets the responsibility of running the country. I think so after seeing his stability and determination.