PM ZIA'S SON TARIQUE MAY RUN FOR PARLIAMENT SEAT

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 001599 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL BG SUBJECT: PM ZIA'S SON TARIQUE MAY RUN FOR PARLIAMENT SEAT Classified By: A/Political Counselor D. Renz, Reason(s): 1.4 (d) ¶1. (SBU) On February 19, media reported that the eldest son of PM Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, said he would run for a Parliament seat if nominated. Rahman, who is the joint Secretary General of the BNP, said that his campaign would SIPDIS highlight the successes of the current regime, such as the elimination of terrorism and restoration of law and order, and if elected would provide electricity to all houses in Bangladesh. While the BNP would decide the constituency where he would run, Rahman said he would like to run in his home district Bogra, 150 kilometers North-West of Dhaka. ¶2. (C) Awami League party whip Muhammad Faruk Khan told poloff that Rahman's running for parliament "doesn't mean anything for us." Kahn described Rahman as having no intellect, a "3rd grade education," and tainted with corruption. He doesn't have a good image, and surrounds himself with people worse than himself, he said, such as Deputy Minister for Land Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu, allegedly connectioned with JMB. ¶3. (C) Khan said that Rahman is building support within the BNP's younger party members, and aims to get "his own candidates on the ticket." Tarique Rahman's chief rival among the younger BNP politicians is Naser Rahman, the son of Finance and Planning Minister Saifur Rahman, but Naser's image is "tarnished," Khan said, and he has limited capacity to grab a leadership role as the senior members are not yet behind him. CHAMMAS