"We have nothing to do if India harbors tyranny and displeases the people of the country," said BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

He said this in the second part of an exclusive interview given to BBC Bangla on Tuesday (October 7).

BBC Bangla asked whether Sheikh Hasina took refuge in India after the fall of the Awami League on August 5. Relations with India have been cold for the past year. Will there be any change in this regard if the BNP comes to power or will it take any initiative to change it?

In response, Tarique Rahman said, "If they harbor tyranny there and become anathema to the people of Bangladesh, then we have nothing to do there. The people of Bangladesh have decided to remain cool with them. So, I have to stay with the people of my country."

Earlier, the first episode of his interview was aired yesterday. In it, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman said that he will return home soon and take part in the elections. When asked whether he will be a prime ministerial candidate in the next election or not, Tarique Rahman said, "This is the decision of the people of Bangladesh. And whether the party will give nomination or not is also the party's decision. It is not my decision."

To a question regarding his own security, Tarique Rahman said, "I have heard many times about various types of fears from different people. Fears have also been published in various media outlets and from various people in the government."

Stating that he never considered himself the mastermind of the July Movement, he said, "Not any individual, but the democracy-loving people are the masterminds of this uprising." Regarding the electoral alliance, he said, "We want to reconstruct the state by taking all the parties that we have met in the street movement with us. We want to reconstruct the state by taking everyone's opinions into account."

Regarding who will be given priority in the nomination process in the next election, Tarique Rahman said, "Those who have public support. Those who can keep public support with them. We will nominate only those people who have public support."

Tarique Rahman said that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's participation in the upcoming elections depends to some extent on her physical ability.