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Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus congratulates Tarique Rahman, chair of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on securing an absolute majority in the general election that yielded results he describes as a "historic milestone" in Bangladesh's democratic transition.
In a message of greetings sent on Saturday, Yunus said the BNP's decisive mandate under Rahman's leadership represented a clear expression of the public will and would play a crucial role in ensuring constitutional continuity and institutional stability.
"I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to you on your party's overwhelming majority in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections," Yunus writes.
"In this historic process of democratic transition, the people's unequivocal verdict will remain a significant landmark for the country's constitutional and democratic continuity."
The head of post-uprising interim government believes Rahman's "wisdom, commitment to democratic values and public welfare-oriented vision" would guide Bangladesh towards a stable, inclusive and development-focused path.
In a rare personal note, Yunus invoked the legacy of Rahman's parents - former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia - expressing hope that their political ideals would illuminate the BNP leader's path in the days ahead.
"Bangladesh stands today at the threshold of new global possibilities," Yunus said, citing economic transformation, technological advancement, climate resilience, human-capital development and active regional and international diplomacy as priority areas requiring coordinated leadership and sound judgment.
He also thanks Rahman for his "valuable cooperation and constructive role" during the interim government's tenure, particularly in maintaining democratic space and respect for constitutional processes during what he described as a sensitive period of change.
Concluding his message, Yunus prayed for success of the prime minister-aparent in ensuring justice, public welfare and the building of a prosperous Bangladesh.
In separate messages, Yunus also congratulated leaders of other parties for what he termed their dignified participation in the elections.
He thanks Dr Shafiqur Rahman, ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, for his party's significant results, robust participation, and for accepting the election results calmly and respectfully.
From the campaign period through the announcement of results, Yunus notes, Jamaat's political restraint and calls for peaceful conduct by its supporters had helped maintain stability.
He expressed the hope that under Rahman's leadership Jamaat would play a constructive and responsible opposition role in parliament, contributing to policy debates, legislative scrutiny and democratic accountability.
Yunus also congratulates Nahid Islam, convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP), praising the fledgling party's performance as "an extraordinary achievement".
Led by Nahid Islam, the NCP contested 30 seats and won six, emerging from a movement born out of last year's student-led mass uprising. Yunus describes the result as more than a matter of electoral arithmetic, calling it "a powerful expression of the confidence, dreams and democratic aspirations of the younger generation".
Recalling Islam's role in the protests and his brief tenure as an adviser in the interim administration, Yunus said he had been impressed by the young leader's policy depth and principled stance.
"Democracy flourishes when new voices emerge and new ideas find space," Yunus said, adding that the NCP now bore the responsibility of safeguarding the trust placed in it by young voters.
The interim leader concluded on a note of hope that all parties - in government and opposition - would act responsibly in strengthening democratic institutions during what he called a pivotal moment in the country's political journey.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.con