The Asiapost News

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has launched a scathing critique of the interim government’s unilateral decision to establish a “humanitarian corridor” for UN aid to Myanmar’s Rakhine State, branding it a betrayal of democratic principles and national sovereignty. Speaking virtually at a discussion marking the founding anniversary of the AB Party at the National Press Club on Friday, 2 May 2025, Rahman insisted that such a momentous decision must emanate from a parliament elected by the direct vote of the people, not from an unelected interim administration.

Rahman excoriated the government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, for its opaque handling of the sensitive issue. “The interim government neither informed the public nor consulted political parties representing the people when deciding on a matter tied to Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty,” he declared. “This is not just a failure of process—it’s a disregard for the will of the nation.”

Highlighting the gravity of the decision, Rahman refrained from debating the interim government’s authority to act without public consent but underscored a broader principle. “Those who cherish this country’s independence firmly believe that a decision on providing a corridor must reflect the people’s will, channelled through a national parliament elected by direct vote,” he said. “This is the norm, the established practice in democratic nations worldwide.”

The BNP leader said, “The interim government’s duty is to safeguard the welfare of Bangladeshis, not to serve the agendas of Myanmar, India, Pakistan, or any other nation,” Rahman asserted. “Bangladesh must come first—always and without compromise.”

The corridor, intended to facilitate UN humanitarian aid to Rakhine State amid ongoing conflict, has ignited fierce controversy, with major political parties, including the Awami League and Jatiya Party, echoing Rahman’s condemnation. Critics argue that the decision, made without parliamentary oversight or public debate, risks entangling Bangladesh in regional tensions, particularly given recent security incidents near the Myanmar border.