Zia Family’s Politics (Part 1) || Arafat Rahman Koko’s family cornered in BNP politics

Staff Correspondent

The position of the late Arafat Rahman Koko’s family in the internal politics of the BNP is becoming increasingly marginal. The Koko family has no visible role in the party’s leadership structure, political program, or future plans.

Analysis of data and recent developments shows that they have been practically cornered in BNP politics.

Khaleda Zia’s eldest son, Tarique Rahman, is currently the acting chairman of the BNP and is at the center of the party’s highest power. On the other hand, the family of the younger son, the late Arafat Rahman Koko, is almost invisible in the BNP’s organizational politics.

A family that has stood by each other through a century and a half of crisis

Party and family sources admit that Arafat Rahman Koko’s family stood by Khaleda Zia during her difficult times during the Awami League’s one and a half-century rule. Tarique Rahman was unable to be with Khaleda Zia for a long time due to his exile in London. At that time, Koko’s wife Shamila Rahman regularly provided Khaleda Zia with physical care, medical care and family responsibilities.

However, in the political reality, this contribution has not received any institutional recognition within the BNP. After Koko’s death, there has been no visible initiative at the party level to rehabilitate or distribute responsibilities to his family.

Absence in the leadership structure

The current decision-making process of the BNP is completely centered around Tarique Rahman. There are no members of the Coco family in the leadership circle built around him. Their names do not even appear as party advisory council members, important committees, or political messengers.

A BNP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Now the party is being run under a single leadership structure. Political control, not family contributions, is the key here.”

Clear discrimination in media coverage

The issue is becoming clearer in the analysis of coverage by the country’s major media outlets. Tarique Rahman’s political activities, family presence and role are regularly given importance in leading media outlets including Prothom Alo and Daily Star. While Tarique Rahman’s family is mentioned in various political reports, analyses and background stories, the name or role of Arafat Rahman Koko’s family is almost absent.

According to media analysts, this coverage is actually portraying the true picture of the BNP’s internal power. The media’s focus is also limited to the part of the party that is in control of decisions and future politics.

A senior political analyst said, “The media usually follows the center of power. Since the Koko family is not in the current power circle of the BNP, they are remaining outside the coverage.”

Silence and uncertainty of the future

There is no sign of the Coco family being active in public politics either. There have been very few media appearances, participation in political programs, or initiatives to clarify their party positions. As a result, they have remained silent and marginalized in both party politics and the media.

All in all, Arafat Rahman Koko’s family is currently in a position in BNP politics where their past sacrifices and family role are not being recognized, and no place has been created for them in the current power structure. Whether this cornered position will change at all is still an open question.