I am neither a political analyst nor a politician, just a mere observer of Bangladesh’s political landscape. However, like many others, I have long been swayed by the dominant narratives that have painted Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), as a figure of corruption and scandal.

Yet, in recent years, I have found myself questioning the truth behind these portrayals, particularly in light of one glaring inconsistency: how can a man so frequently accused of corruption by his political adversaries have no traceable assets, either in Bangladesh or abroad?

This question sent me down a path of deeper inquiry, and I began to explore the broader context of these accusations. In the intricate web of Bangladesh’s politics, few names have been as relentlessly vilified by propaganda as Tarique Rahman’s.

For nearly two decades, he has been at the center of allegations ranging from corruption and extortion to abuse of power. Yet, despite the barrage of political attacks and sensational media reports, concrete evidence supporting these claims has remained frustratingly elusive.

One of the most persistent and damaging narratives surrounding Tarique Rahman is the so-called "10% commission" myth—an allegation that he took a cut from every government project during the tenure of his mother, Khaleda Zia, as Prime Minister.

This narrative first gained significant international attention in 2007 through an article in The Economist titled "One Begum Down," written by Simon Long.

The article accused Tarique Rahman of routinely demanding 10% commissions on government contracts, painting him as a figure who instilled fear in the hearts of many Bangladeshis.

Yet, for all its sensationalism, the article provided no hard evidence to substantiate these claims. No surveys, direct testimonies, or verifiable documents were offered in support of this widespread accusation.

In fact, the article’s speculative nature has since come under intense scrutiny, particularly given Simon Long’s long-standing connections to India, which have raised questions about potential bias or external influence in shaping the narrative.

A manufactured narrative

Further investigation reveals that this "10% commission" story was part of a broader propaganda effort that emerged during the 1/11 military-backed caretaker government’s rule, a time when political tensions were running high and Bangladesh’s media landscape was under heavy pressure.

Many local newspapers, at the time, published these unverified allegations without question, often under the influence of intelligence agencies and the caretaker government.

Another example of the unsubstantiated smear campaign against Tarique Rahman is the infamous "Khamba (electric pole) scandal."

During the BNP-Jamaat coalition government, an ambitious electrification project was initiated with an estimated budget of BDT 875 crore (8.75 billion).

Of this amount, Jemcon Group, owned by pro-Awami businessman Kazi Shahed, supplied poles worth 5.12 billion BDT (512 crore taka), while another 1.02 billion BDT (102 crore taka) came from the business interests of Giasuddin Al Mamun.

These purchases were part of officially approved transactions. Despite this, the Awami League has consistently blamed Tarique Rahman for both failing to provide electricity and allegedly embezzling funds through the procurement of these poles.

The project, which aimed to install electricity poles nationwide, remained incomplete when the government’s tenure ended. Critics quickly accused Tarique Rahman of embezzling funds allocated for the project, alleging that the money had been diverted.

However, no concrete evidence has ever emerged to support these claims. Ironically, the Awami League itself has struggled to provide consistent electricity, having misused an estimated 900 billion BDT (90,000 crore taka) through the controversial "Quick Rental" power projects.

An investigation committee led by former BUET Vice-Chancellor Abdul Matin Patwary was later assigned to examine the allegations of corruption. Yet, it failed to produce any conclusive findings. Furthermore, the project was never canceled, which further casts doubt on the validity of the corruption charges.

A convenient scapegoat

For nearly two decades, Tarique Rahman has been a convenient scapegoat in the eyes of political opponents, and his name has become synonymous with allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

Yet, in the absence of any verifiable proof, one has to ask: is he truly guilty of the crimes he is accused of, or has he simply become a target of a political smear campaign designed to weaken his influence and tarnish his reputation?

Over five years, Bangladesh procured electricity poles worth approximately 8 billion BDT (800 crore taka).

The legal cases against Tarique Rahman further shed light on the dubious nature of these accusations. One prominent case involved Abdul Monem Ltd., which in April 2007 filed a claim accusing him of extorting 10 crore BDT.

However, in 2024, it was revealed that in May 2007 — during the very same caretaker government — the complainant sought to withdraw the case, admitting they had been coerced into filing it by “special quarters.”

This was not an isolated instance; other plaintiffs in similar cases later confessed that their charges were made under duress.

A particularly revealing moment came from "An Era," a publication by the caretaker government, where a senior official candidly admitted: "There is no asset in Tarique Rahman’s name, and nothing has ever been proven against him."

Even media outlets that had once published these accusations without scrutiny have expressed regret. Mahfuz Anam, the editor of The Daily Star, acknowledged that publishing such unverified reports was the biggest editorial mistake of his career.

Legally, Tarique Rahman has been acquitted of all charges linked to these politically motivated cases. In one such case involving Harbin Company, the judge, Justice Md. Mozammel Hossain, cleared him due to a lack of evidence. However, Justice Hossain later fled the country fearing for his life after receiving multiple threats.

Meanwhile, while the ruling Awami League continues to accuse Tarique Rahman of corruption, it has overseen questionable expenditures of nearly 90,000 crore taka through the “Quick Rental” power projects.

The ongoing allegations against Tarique Rahman seem less about uncovering the truth and more about political manipulation. Despite years of investigations, media trials, and a constant barrage of propaganda, no court of law has found him guilty.

In a political environment rife with misinformation, Tarique Rahman’s case serves as a stark reminder of how narratives can be weaponized — and how truth often gets buried beneath layers of political agendas.

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Faysal Kabir Shuvo, PhD, is an Urban Planner and Data Professional, a former student leader, currently residing in Sydney, Australia.