The BNP had promised to form a 'national government' with its coalition partners if it won the election. However, after the February 12 national election, the representation of coalition partners in the government is limited, leading to dissatisfaction among some allies. Only three leaders from three partner parties have been given positions in the government. This has led to discontent among some partners, who argue that the government is essentially a BNP government under the leadership of Tareq Rahman.
Before the election, BNP's acting chairman Tareq Rahman announced in London on March 28, 2022, that the party would form a national government with all parties involved in the anti-government movement, regardless of the election outcome. BNP leaders frequently mentioned this during the election campaign. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reiterated this commitment in a press conference in Sylhet on January 4.
BNP allocated 15 seats to its coalition partners in the 300-seat parliament. Only three of these partners won seats, and only two were given ministerial positions. Several other leaders from coalition parties who joined BNP or dissolved their parties to contest the election also won seats but were not given positions. This has led to questions about BNP's commitment to forming a national government.
Some coalition leaders have expressed dissatisfaction with BNP's failure to form a national government as promised. Mahmudur Rahman Manna of Nagorik Oikya, a key BNP ally, criticized BNP for not living up to its promise. Saiful Haque of the Revolutionary Workers Party also questioned BNP's commitment to forming a 'rainbow nation' without a 'rainbow government'. However, some leaders like Rashed Khan of Gonadhikar Parishad expressed hope that BNP would eventually fulfill its promise.
The limited representation of coalition partners in the government has raised questions about the future of alliance politics and BNP's political strategy. Some partners fear that BNP's overwhelming victory has given it excessive confidence, leading it to neglect its long-time allies. However, BNP's senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi assured that BNP would fulfill its promise of forming a national government.
