The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), currrently boycotting its minority seats in parliament, elected Tarique Rahman, the son of the current leader of the party and former Prime Minister as the de facto second in command in party leadership. This move makes leadership in the party founded by Tarique’s late father– and the assassinated husband of the current leader, Begum Khaleda Zia– Zia-ur Rahman, essentially a family affair.
Tarique Rahman was elected to the post of Senior Vice Chairman immediately after the post was established, seemingly for him.
As the Daily Star reports,
“Election of Tarique, Khaleda’s elder son, came soon after the council approved a proposal for introducing a senior vice-chairman’s post in the executive committee.”
“The proposal, now part of the BNP constitution, says the senior vice-chairman will lead the party in the absence of the chairperson. He will also be a member of the standing committee.”
The torch is being passed. It remains to be seen whether the torch bearer has hands steady enough that the torch may remain lit under his watch.