Tarique Rahman on the Path of People-Centric Politics

Tarique Rahman's first three days as Bangladesh's new Prime Minister have sparked intense nationwide discussions about his actions and steps. The question arises whether this is merely image-building or a positive beginning to administrative changes. In just 72 hours, what has Tarique Rahman done that impacts not only Bangladesh but also draws attention from neighboring countries and beyond?

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's political and regional influence in his first three days' activities and statements is being closely observed with deep interest by not only the country's people but also by neighboring nations. After assuming office, he delivered a short but firm speech to the nation.

At the same time, he announced zero tolerance against corruption. Commitments to break land grabbing, extortion, and market syndicates were heard in his voice. His presence at the Secretariat before the scheduled time has spread a positive message across the entire Bangladesh. Moreover, by reducing protocol and moving through Dhaka's traffic jams, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has undoubtedly set a Himalayan-like example.

In this case, although there is no direct message from him on traffic discipline, when he himself reduces protocol and roams through Dhaka's traffic jams, his message on traffic discipline is clear to the people. From sources of BNP's newly elected Members of Parliament, it is known that last Tuesday morning at 11 am, after the oath-taking of MPs at the oath room of the National Parliament in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman held the first meeting of the parliamentary party with nearly two hundred MPs as the parliamentary leader. There, after being elected as the leader of the parliamentary party, he held a one-hour closed-door meeting with the party members.

At the beginning of the meeting, he presented his strict attitude on two issues that are extremely tempting for MPs but widely criticized by the public, and sought the opinions of the elected MPs. He addressed them saying, as the leader of the parliamentary party, I will present some of my own thoughts in front of you. I hope you will cooperate in implementing this thought. At this time, he addressed them saying that as soon as MPs are elected, members first compete to avail the 'tax-free' car facility.

I want to abolish this facility by law. Do you agree with my opinion? Immediately after the statement of the party chairman and Prime Minister, all BNP party and alliance MPs attending the meeting raised both hands to express their support. They started saying in loud voices, you are our leader, our guardian. Our guide. Whatever decision you take, we will implement it even with our lives.

After that, Tarique Rahman presented his second opinion to the elected MPs. He told them, as soon as MPs are elected, you have to give up the dream of owning a 'plot' in Dhaka. I want that no one (no MP) will get a plot in Dhaka anew. Do you agree with me? At the same time, he announced that except for state guests, we will use personal cars daily and bear the costs of personal drivers and fuel.

All members unanimously expressed their support in loud voices for Tarique Rahman's second opinion and decision. After that, Tarique Rahman informed the members, our government has zero tolerance against corruption. No corruption will be tolerated. I want that no allegation of corruption should arise against any of my members (MPs) anywhere.

In the future, none of your controversial activities should embarrass me. If any controversial activity creates criticism in the public mind, you remember, whoever he is, I will not tolerate it. I will take strict measures against him organizationally and legally. I will not give the minimum concession. You pay deep attention and remember this matter.

Narsingdi-3 (Shibpur) seat elected BNP party MP Manjur Elahi told The Daily Campus, after the oath-taking as MPs, our leader sat in a meeting with two hundred members. That nearly hour-long meeting was a closed-door meeting.

He informed that immediately after the preliminary discussion phase with the MPs, the chairman addressed all about his decision to abolish the tax-free car facility by law and the practice of allotting plots in elite areas of the capital for building houses as soon as one becomes an MP, and sought the commitment of the members.

Manjur Elahi said, we raised both hands and gave our leader support in implementing his decision. 'Tax-free cars and government plots' these two are tempting issues. At least 10 to 12 crore taka tempting issues. But to build Tarique Rahman's visionary Bangladesh, we have sacrificed that temptation.

In any way, we will cooperate with him to build a corruption-free, developed Bangladesh. On the other hand, the new Prime Minister has already given a positive message to the general public with these two decisions. Discussions are going on among everyone about this issue. These issues are undoubtedly not separate incidents but in the political context of Bangladesh, they are considered positive steps.

After that, in the speech given by the new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the nation, he clarified several issues. The state will run on the rule of law and there is no compromise against corruption. We will stay with the good, fight against the bad. In that speech, he did not use vengeful language even once but discipline, accountability, and sense of responsibility were clear in his statement. This is an important issue for Bangladesh's ongoing politics. Because usually after power change, speeches are aggressive. And Tarique Rahman's language was firm but restrained.

Besides, to activate the administrative center Secretariat of the state, the new Prime Minister has given a message from the first day of assuming his responsibility. By being present at the Secretariat before the scheduled time or earlier, he has given a clear signal to the administration that the pace of work must increase. Timeliness must be maintained. Bureaucracy must move in a new rhythm. Complaints about Bangladesh's administrative laxity are not new. The Prime Minister's this presence has struck at that place on the first day itself.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's reducing protocol and moving through Dhaka's traffic jams is undoubtedly a Himalayan-like example. Dhaka has come up in many international reports as one of the world's most traffic-congested cities.

In such a city, if the Prime Minister himself reduces protocol and moves, this is not just a courageous step but it is a politically deep message. His this initiative has given a message to the public that it will not be by police alone, citizens have to take responsibility. This is not an administrative directive but it is a social contract. Beyond this, several ministers of Tarique Rahman's cabinet have clearly said, land grabbers will not be spared.

Strict measures will be taken against syndicates. If law and order is broken, political identity will not be considered. This message is extremely important for field administration. Because if there is political shadow, the application of law gradually becomes weak. In how many years people's dissatisfaction has accumulated. The price of daily commodities has increased to a record amount. The security concern of the business community has also increased.

Allegations of administrative corruption are not new, rather in Bangladesh it has taken the form of a banyan tree. Political polarization has entered every pore of Bangladesh. And in such a situation, the first task of Bangladesh's new government was to rebuild trust. The steps of the first three days have struck at that psychological place.

Strict security circle heavy protocol administrative distance opponent-centric speech Tarique Rahman created a different picture in the first three days. By being present at the Secretariat before time by reducing protocol by moving through traffic jams by firm but restrained speech direct stance against corruption this is an indication of reducing the distance of power. And here is the possibility of breaking the conventional trend.

A senior BNP leader told The Daily Campus, in the long fascist rule, distrust has been created among our general people about the government or public representatives. Tarique Rahman's these steps are firstly rebuilding public trust. A deficit of administrative trust has been created in Bangladesh's recent years. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman perhaps wanted to break that psychological wall from the first day and the second another reason is to deliver a specific message to Bangladesh's middle class. The middle class and urban voters want to see visible governance.

He said, arriving at the Secretariat early is a symbol of work culture. See the Prime Minister's first two days' schedule shown to neighboring countries that the new government is stable and administratively very active. Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the first two days convinced Bangladesh's people that he is with the people.

Reducing protocol and call for citizen responsibility timely administrative message and all this has given him the crown of acceptable leader on the first day. Tarique Rahman created a new political language in the first two days. Which breaking the past stream is the beginning of popularity-based politics.

On the other hand, as the government head, on the third day of assuming responsibility, Tarique Rahman for the first time did office at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon. There seeing old employees called them close and talked to them.

Today Saturday morning after arriving at the Tejgaon office, during talking to officers-employees, the Prime Minister called several known ones and talked, said Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He said, some employees who worked during Madam Khaleda Zia's time 19 years ago who were young then now have gray hair but the Prime Minister did not mistake in recognizing them.

He himself called them by name and talked to them and inquired about their families. This is a memorable incident. Today the Prime Minister first came to the office and planted trees in the garden. After that, when entering the office, officers-employees stood in line on one side and saluted the Prime Minister and greeted. At this time, the Prime Minister seeing one employee standing in the employee line from afar called him by name.

That employee immediately crossed the security arrangement and ran to the Prime Minister. Shook hands and the Prime Minister inquired about his family. At this time, called several more employees by name and talked to them the Prime Minister.

In the 2001 parliamentary election, with absolute majority, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia became Prime Minister and did office in this office.

Additional Press Secretary said, some employees who worked during Madam's time who were young 19 years ago now have gray hair but the Prime Minister did not mistake in recognizing them. He himself called them by name and talked to them. Those employees became as emotional overwhelmed as other officers-employees became surprised at the Prime Minister's magnanimity and use of words.

The Prime Minister arrived at 10:10 am Saturday morning when Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister A.B.M. Abdus Sattar and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon welcomed the Prime Minister.

After taking oath as Prime Minister on 17 February last, in the last two days he did office at his office in the Secretariat Tarique Rahman. Today he did office here for the first time.