By Admin 
After BNP gets two-thirds majority in Bangladesh, preparations have started for the coronation of party president Tariq Rahman. Before taking oath, Tariq Rehman gave a statement regarding foreign policy and especially how relations will be with India, China and Pakistan. He said that Bangladesh’s foreign policy will be decided by the interests of its people. He commented on the attacks on Hindus during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina and Mohammad Yunus.
When will the swearing in ceremony take place?
Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin may swear in the new cabinet of BNP President Tariq Rahman within the next four days. According to the report of news agency PTI, a senior BNP leader said that the swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place on 16 or 17 February. Rehman said that his party will pursue a foreign policy that protects the country’s interests in relations with China, India and Pakistan. He said, ‘Bangladesh’s foreign policy will be decided according to the ‘broader interests of Bangladesh and its people’.
What did Tariq Rehman say about China?
On the Belt and Road Initiative and future relations with China, he said, ‘If something is not in the interest of Bangladesh then naturally we cannot pursue it. I am confident that mutual interests will be our first priority.
Answer given regarding attack on Hindus
Sheikh Hasina, who ruled for more than 15 years, had to leave power and flee to India following student-led protests in August 2024, following which there were widespread attacks on minorities, especially Hindus. Tariq Rehman said, ‘Peace and law and order in the country will have to be maintained at any cost. We will not tolerate any kind of anarchy. Our government will now make law and order in the entire country. When asked whether BNP would demand Sheikh Hasina’s extradition from India, he said, ‘It depends on the legal process.’
However, he did not say anything about his stance on lifting the ban on Awami League. He told that about 50 political parties participated in the elections. He said, ‘Your (parties’) views are important for us in the process of nation-building.’
Legal issue regarding oath taking
According to the Constitution, it is mandatory for the new Parliament members to be sworn in after the swearing-in ceremony of the Cabinet, while a key aide of Tariq Rehman said the current legal scenario has made the issue a bit complicated. He said, ‘The Speaker of the previous Parliament was supposed to administer the oath of office to the MPs, but she has resigned and is living at an undisclosed place. The vice president is in jail.
He said that in such circumstances, the President can choose a person to conduct the oath-taking ceremony of the MPs as there is a provision for such a situation in the Constitution.
Bangladesh Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid said that according to the Constitution, elected MPs have to take oath within three days of the issue of gazette notification and after that the majority party will elect its parliamentary leader. He said, ‘If we get instructions or indications that it will be held on a certain date and time, we will act accordingly.