Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been Tarique Rahman sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister. This historic moment came on February 17, 2026, just days after BNP’s sweeping victory in the parliamentary elections. Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, marks the first male leader in the top role in 35 years. The ceremony unfolded at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka, where President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath—a break from long-standing traditions.
The elections on February 12 delivered a stunning mandate for BNP and its allies. They clinched over 151 seats outright, with the full alliance securing 212 in the 300-member parliament. This two-thirds majority ends nearly two decades of BNP’s absence from power. Jamaat-e-Islami, contesting freely after a 2013 ban lifted post-Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, grabbed 68 seats. The Awami League sat out, barred from the polls amid Bangladesh’s post-uprising transition.
Rahman’s journey to this point has been dramatic. He returned from 17 years in exile in London late last year, following the 2024 student-led uprising that toppled Hasina and ushered in interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Crowds cheered as Rahman, flanked by 25 cabinet ministers and 24 state ministers, pledged to rebuild. India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla witnessed the event, highlighting strengthening India-Bangladesh ties.
In his first address, Rahman outlined bold priorities: restoring peace, tackling economic woes, enforcing law and order, and reforming governance. Key appointments include Mir Mohammed Nasiruddin Yusuf as finance minister, signaling a push for stability. This shift promises a new chapter for Bangladesh, blending BNP’s legacy with fresh hopes for recovery after years of turmoil.
As Rahman steps up, eyes are on how his leadership will navigate trade, defense, and regional diplomacy—vital for South Asia’s dynamics.
