People will decide whether Hasina's children can join politics: Tarique Rahman

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has said during an interview with a foreign news agency that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's children can join politics if Bangladesh's people allow them to do so.

Reports have surfaced that Tarique Rahman made the above comment on Friday (6 February 2026) while speaking to a British media outlet. Remarkable shifts are being implied on the political landscape of Bangladesh as the country's 13th parliamentary elections are scheduled to be organized on 12 February 2026. Overthrown political party Awami League is not participating in these polls. BNP has been ahead of all other parties in the electoral race since the July Revolution in 2024 unseated the immediate past regime. Different international news agencies have also predicted that BNP is most likely to win the elections as Awami League is not contesting the polls.

Reuters asked Tarique Rahman whether Sheikh Hasina's children Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Saima Wazed Putul can join politics in Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman replied that it depends on the people of Bangladesh. Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Saima Wazed Putul can return to political activities in Bangladesh if the country's people endorse the idea, Tarique Rahman stated.

 It may be added that unseated Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been in India since being toppled on 5 August 2024. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka has in the meantime handed down death penalty on Sheikh Hasina over genocide and human rights violations. Lawsuits have been going on against Sheikh Hasina's children too at the ICT.