In a strongly worded virtual address to Awami League supporters, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sharply criticised Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman for denying allegations of widespread corruption during the BNP-led government era, questioning the sudden accumulation of vast wealth by the Zia family.
Sheikh Hasina, speaking from exile, mocked Rahman’s claims that corruption does not occur without BNP involvement, stating: “It makes me laugh when I hear a BNP leader say that corruption doesn’t happen unless the BNP says so. If there was no corruption, then let Tarique Zia, who said this, explain it.”
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She referenced old interviews and videos available on platforms like YouTube, recalling how late President Ziaur Rahman reportedly left behind only modest possessions—a broken suitcase and torn vest—and how Khaleda Zia supposedly cut old pants to make clothes for her sons Tarique and Arafat Rahman (Koko). “They ate simple food from ration money and had nothing,” Hasina said, before asking: “Then where did all this luxury and billions in wealth come from overnight? How did they become owners of thousands of crores?”
Sheikh Hasina accused the Zia family of massive corruption and money laundering, claiming that funds belonging to Koko and Tarique were recovered and brought back to Bangladesh during her tenure. She cited cases like Naiko and Gatco, where she alleged FBI testimony was provided against Khaleda Zia and Tarique, leading to their conviction as absconding accused.
The five-time premier extended her criticism to the BNP-Jamaat era (2001-2006), accusing it of fostering terrorism and militancy. She recounted simultaneous bomb attacks in 500 locations on one day, grenade attacks aimed at killing her, assassinations of Awami League leaders, journalists, and others, as well as the rise of groups like Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Bangla Bhai operating openly.
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Sheikh Hasina also highlighted alleged vote rigging, including the February 15, 1996, election theft and the creation of 12.3 million fake voters in 2006 to manipulate the caretaker government system.
Defending her own government’s achievements from 1996-2001 and later terms, Sheikh Hasina said she made Bangladesh food self-sufficient, increased electricity production, improved education and health services, and began providing homes to the landless.
Turning to the current interim government under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Hasina accused it of widespread corruption, extortion, and failing to deliver promised peace and prosperity. She questioned Yunus’s past role in retaining a bank position illegally and alleged his involvement in releasing convicted terrorists and grenade attack accused, suggesting possible links to past incidents.
Sheikh Hasina claimed the country’s global image has deteriorated, with job opportunities declining and extremist groups gaining influence. She urged youth to unite against “fascist” forces and restore democracy, calling for the release of political prisoners and the revival of Bangladesh’s “lost glory.”
The speech comes amid heightened political tensions, as Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka on Thursday after 17 years in exile, with courts having acquitted him in major cases following Muhammad Yunus’ capture of power in 2024.
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