BNP Secures Landslide Victory
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has won a landslide, two-thirds majority, in the just concluded elections to the national parliament on Friday returning to power after a gap of nearly two decades. BNP won 212 seats of the total 300 seats of the national parliament. Elections were not held for one seat Sherpur-3 due to the death of a candidate. Dhaka Tribune quoted BNP leader Mahdi Amin saying that the chairman of BNP Tarique Rahman,60, is likely to swear in as prime minister on Saturday. Tarique won from both the seats he contested, Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6. He contested in elections for the first time. He has never been a Parliament Member.
A New Political Landscape
Tariqe Rahman is the son of Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister Khaleda Zia, wife of Ziaur Rahman, the president who was assassinated. He returned to India a few months back after Sheik Hasina lost her power and fled to India. Hasina had to leave the throne in the face of student-led revolt in 2024. Khalida was a rival of Hasina, both the women shared power among themselves for about two and half decades. Shafiqur Rahman, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, has led the 11-party coalition in the elections. The contest was mainly between BNP and the coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami as the other national party led by Hasina, Awami League, was banned by the interim government, headed by Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus, from contesting elections. For the first time in three decades Awami League’s Boat symbol was absent from ballots.
Regional Leaders Congratulate the New Administration
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Rahman on Friday morning to congratulate him on the victory and to assure him that as neighbours India and Bangladesh will have good relations. Modi expressed his happiness at the prospect of stability returning to the neighbour which was in acute turmoil since the last elected government fell. He also expressed India’s commitment to Bangladesh’s peace and prosperity. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sherif also called Rahman and congratulated him.
The BNP’s national election management committee chairman Nazrul Islam Khan has thanked Modi for his message. Dhaka Tribune quoted Islam Khan as saying, “On behalf of our party we also thank him (Narendra Modi). We believe that under the leadership of our leader Tarique Rahman, relations between the two countries and the bonds between their people will grow even stronger.” Even Rahman said in his election campaign that he is in favour of good relationship with India and Hasina returning to Bangladesh.
Rahman’s Journey from London to Dhaka
Rahman left for London in 2008 as a result of persecution by the caretaker government led by army. He lived in London in self-imposed exile. He left a note while leaving Dhaka airport saying that he is resigning from the position of senior joint secretary general of BNP and quitting active politics. He was arrested in 2007 by the army-led interim government on corruption charges. He was so badly tortured in jail that he had to be taken to the airport in a wheelchair. He was released in 2008 and was allowed to go to London for treatment.
During the subsequent Hasina’s 15-year rule, Rahman was charged with conspiracy and corruption which charges were confirmed by the courts. He denied all the charges saying that they were politically motivated to keep him away from Bangladesh. In 2024, after the fall of Hasina government the same courts have struck down the cases and declared him innocent. Tarique Rahman had returned home to take over the leadership of the BNP from his mother.
From Textile Business to Party Leadership
Rahman was born on 20 November 1965 in Dhaka, East Pakistan. Tarique’s father Ziaur Rahman was a Pakistani military officer who would later become the president of Bangladesh. He was killed in a coup. Rahman’s mother Khalida Zia was a homemaker who would become Bangladesh’s prime minister twice.
Rahman finished his graduation from a Dhaka college and spent some time in the university before abandoning his studies and jumping into textile business. Then in 1988 he enrolled himself as a primary member of BNP. Rahman was actively canvassing in Bogra district in 1991 elections in which his mother was a candidate. During 1996 – 2001 when Awami League was in power, Rahman played his role in opposition. In 2001 national elections, BNP had won two-thirds majority and he ran the party while his mother was busy as prime minister.
The Legacy of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia
When Bangladesh’s chief advisor and head of the interim government Mohammad Yusuf was visiting London, Rahman met him on 13 June 2025. On 25 December 2025, Rahman along with his wife Zubaida and daughter Zaima returned to Bangladesh ending exile since 2008. Five days later his mother Khaleda Zia died after a prolonged illness and on 9 January 2026 Rahman became chairman of the NCP. In the 13th Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh seven women were elected. Most of them are from BNP. total of 85 women contested in elections voting for which took place on Thursday. China also congratulated Bangladesh for conducting fair and peaceful elections. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated the ‘brothers and sisters of Bangladesh,’ saying ‘my advance Ramzan Mubarak to all of them. She congratulated ‘Tarique Bhai and his party. “Pray you all will be well and happy.”
Why the Jamaat-Led Coalition Fell Short
Before polls, many observers spoke openly that the Jamaat-e-Islami would do its best in the elections and its performance would be better than ever before. Jamaat said, “We are not satisfied with the process surrounding the elections.” In the early aftermath of the July 2024 student-led uprising that toppled the Awami League government, Jamaat was widely regarded as having organizational momentum. The party had been a key force in the street protests that culminated in the ouster of the Awami league government led by Sheik Hasina. As Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh late, the Jamaat coalition had an early advantage. Women voters did not shift their allegiance to Jamaat as its leaders anticipated. Students and minorities including the Hindus have rallied behind the BNP. The early advantage that the Jamaat seemed to enjoy got dissipated and resulted in defeat. The BNP has scored a resounding victory. Tariqe Rahman, who was living in exile three months ago will now preside over the destiny of Bangladesh.
Prominent Journalist
Dr. K. Ramachandra Murthy is a versatile journalist with a distinguished career. Dr. Murthy began his extensive career with Andhra Prabha of The Indian Express group in Bengaluru. He was editor of Udayam, Vaartha and Andhra Jyothy. Dr. Murthy founded and edited HMTV news channel and The Hans India, an English newspaper. He was also editorial director of the Telugu newspaper, Saakshi. He was awarded Ph. D for his research work in rural reporting. Dr. Murthy’s five decades in journalism showcases his influential roles across both print and electronic media. He wrote the political biography of NTR published by Harper Collins.
