Dhaka, Nov 25 (V7N) – BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has criticized the interim government’s handling of Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) list and recent long-term decisions regarding Chattogram Port.

In a post on his verified Facebook account, Rahman said only an elected government has the mandate to make long-term decisions that affect the country’s future. He argued that the interim government, lacking electoral legitimacy, should act responsibly by seeking time to deliberate rather than imposing irreversible decisions.

Rahman highlighted the economic and social impact of such decisions, citing examples of a small garment factory owner in Gazipur and a recent graduate in Narayanganj. He noted that sudden policy changes, such as the loss of trade privileges, can disrupt employment, wages, and household stability for ordinary citizens who have no vote in these decisions.

He emphasized that Bangladesh has earned the right to graduate from LDC status, but preparation is crucial. Rahman pointed out that countries like Angola and Samoa have adjusted their transition timelines under United Nations rules to mitigate economic shocks. “Strategic patience is not weakness. Public consultation is not obstruction. Democratic legitimacy is not delay,” he wrote.

Regarding Chattogram Port, Rahman described it as the economic gateway of Bangladesh, stressing that long-term decisions affecting the port are strategic national commitments that should be undertaken only by an elected government accountable to the people. He warned that closing off alternatives and limiting public discussion weakens Bangladesh’s position in international negotiations.

Rahman concluded that while there is no objection to LDC graduation or port reforms, the future of the country should not be determined by an unelected government. He called for public participation, respect for citizens’ voices, and the preservation of democratic legitimacy, pointing to the upcoming national elections in February 2026 as an opportunity for the people to decide Bangladesh’s path.

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