Tarique Rahman's Dilemma: Can He Break From Jamaat and Still Win Bangladesh?

• Khaleda Zia's massive funeral turnout signals the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) potential return to power in upcoming February 12 elections.
• Tarique Rahman, BNP's undisputed heir, faces a critical choice: sever ties with Jamaat-e-Islami to gain international legitimacy or risk alienating his political base.
• India views Bangladesh's political churn with unease, concerned about minority attacks and cross-border issues, seeing BNP as the 'least problematic' option.
• A restless youth population (46 million) and anti-India sentiment fuel the rise of the National Citizen Party (NCP), which aligns with Jamaat and taps into radical change desires.
• Bangladesh stands at a crossroads, with its democratic transition facing potential instability, radicalism, and heightened minority insecurity.

Why It Matters: Tarique Rahman must balance international demands for moderation with his party's entrenched alliances to secure Bangladesh's future.