Highlights
- Tarique Rahman says corruption has crippled daily life for millions in Bangladesh.
- He claims BNP has the only consistent record of reducing corruption through reforms, modern laws, and institutional independence.
- Points to the formation of ACC in 2004 as a milestone praised globally.
- Outlines a future anti-corruption roadmap with transparency, digital governance, stronger institutions, and whistleblower protection.
- Calls on citizens to give BNP the responsibility to lead a new national fight against corruption.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman delivers a powerful message on International Anti-Corruption Day, highlighting how corruption affects daily life in Bangladesh, recalling BNP’s proven reforms, and outlining a strong future roadmap for transparency, digital governance, and institutional independence.
BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that if the people entrust them with responsibility again, the party will restart a strong, uncompromising battle against corruption. He wrote in a Facebook post on International Anti-Corruption Day (9 December):
‘দুর্নীতি কিভাবে বাংলাদেশকে পঙ্গু করে দিচ্ছে—তা বুঝতে দূরে যাওয়ার দরকার নেই। মেধার ভিত্তিতে চাকরি খুঁজতে বের হওয়া একজন গ্র্যাজুয়েটের সঙ্গে কথা বললেই বুঝবেন। মাসের পর মাস ধরে একটি সাধারণ সরকারি সেবা পেতে হিমশিম খাওয়া কৃষকের দিকে তাকান। হাসপাতালে গিয়ে এক তরুণের পরিবার কিভাবে ভোগান্তিতে পড়ে, সেটা শুনুন। অথবা ব্যবসা বাঁচিয়ে রাখতে ঘুষ দিতে বাধ্য হওয়া উদ্যোক্তাদের ভোগান্তি দেখুন।’ Translation: “You don’t have to look far to understand how corruption is crippling Bangladesh. Talk to a graduate looking for a job solely on merit. Look at a farmer who struggles for months just to receive a basic government service. Listen to the ordeal of a young patient’s family at a public hospital. Or witness how an entrepreneur is forced to pay bribes simply to keep a business alive.”
Tarique Rahman added:
‘খাবারের দাম কেন বাড়ে, স্কুলে ভালো পড়াশোনা কেন মেলে না, রাস্তায় কেন নিরাপত্তা নেই—সব কিছুর পেছনে সেই একই কারণ: দুর্নীতি। এটা লাখো মানুষের প্রতিদিনের জীবনকে দমবন্ধ করে ফেলেছে।’
Translation:“Why does food become expensive, why can’t students receive proper education, why is there insecurity on the streets? The reason behind all of this is the same—corruption. It is suffocating the daily lives of millions.”
He stated that the fight against corruption in Bangladesh is not new; it has been a subject of national debate for generations. International Anti-Corruption Day reminds the nation of that struggle and also of the period when Bangladesh truly made progress particularly during BNP’s tenure.
According to him, President Ziaur Rahman introduced discipline, clean public service, and economic liberalization, which reduced irregularities and misuse of power. During Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s administration, modernization began through new procurement laws, stronger financial regulations, improved audit systems, and clearer oversight mechanisms.
Tarique Rahman emphasized the most significant step:
সবচেয়ে বড় পদক্ষেপ ছিল ২০০৪ সালে ‘দুদক’ গঠন; একটি স্বাধীন কমিশন, যেখানে সরকার চাইলে হস্তক্ষেপ করতে পারে না। বিশ্বব্যাংক, এডিবি সবাই বলেছিল—এটা বাংলাদেশের জবাবদিহিতার বড় অগ্রগতি। টিআইবির জরিপেও দেখা গেছে—২০০২ থেকে ২০০৫ সালের মধ্যে পরিস্থিতি উন্নতি হয়েছে। মানুষ নিজেরাই বলেছে দুর্নীতি কমেছে। এটা কোনো গল্প নয়, এটা তখনকার সংস্কারের প্রমাণ।
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Translation: “The biggest milestone was the formation of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2004 an independent body that could not be influenced by the government. The World Bank, ADB, all recognized this as a major leap forward for Bangladesh. TIB surveys also showed that between 2002 and 2005, corruption levels declined. People themselves acknowledged the improvement. These are not stories. They are proof of real reforms.”
BNP’s Achievements He Highlighted
- Stronger financial governance: budget control, audit reforms, banking oversight, and anti–money laundering laws.
- Transparent procurement: competitive tendering that later became the foundation of the country’s largest transparency frameworks.
- Open markets: in telecom, media, and aviation—greater competition reduced corruption and expanded opportunities for the public.
- Decentralization of power: less discretionary authority, simpler administration, and more accountability to the people.
BNP’s Future Anti-Corruption Vision
He outlined a comprehensive plan for the coming years:
- Independent institutions: judiciary, ACC, election commission, and public service free from political pressure.
- Full transparency: open tendering, asset declarations, real-time audits, and a stronger Right to Information framework.
- Judicial and law enforcement reforms: professional policing, faster case disposal, and digital evidence systems.
- E-governance: putting licenses, land services, payments, and permits online to reduce bribery—“potentially lowering corruption by 30–60% based on global benchmarks.”
- Whistleblower protection: legal safeguards for those who expose wrongdoing.
- Ethical education: promoting integrity lessons in schools and colleges.
- Stronger financial monitoring: digital spending-tracking systems and tougher parliamentary oversight.
In his concluding note, Tarique Rahman wrote:
‘বহু বছর অব্যবস্থাপনার পর দুর্নীতির বিরুদ্ধে লড়াই অবশ্যই কঠিন হবে। কিন্তু বাংলাদেশের ইতিহাসই প্রমাণ করে, যখন সৎ নেতৃত্ব, শৃঙ্খলা ও জনগণের সমর্থন একসঙ্গে আসে, তখন পরিবর্তন অসম্ভব নয়। জনগণ যদি দায়িত্ব দেয়- বিএনপি আবারও সেই লড়াইয়ের নেতৃত্ব দিতে প্রস্তুত।’
Translation:“After years of mismanagement, fighting corruption will not be easy. But history shows that when honest leadership, discipline, and public support come together, change is never impossible. If the people give us the responsibility, BNP is fully prepared to lead this fight again.”
Tarique Rahman’s message blends reflection, reform, and resolve. He positions BNP as the only party with a proven record of anti-corruption achievements and presents a detailed blueprint for a new national movement against corruption—rooted in digital governance, institutional independence, and public accountability.
Source: Kaler Kantho
