Tarique Rahman Returns from 17-Year Exile to Lead BNP’s Sweeping Victory, Set to Become Bangladesh’s Next Prime Minister
By Tajdar H. Zaidi
New Delhi/Dhaka: In a dramatic political comeback, Tarique Rahman is poised to assume office as Bangladesh’s next prime minister after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured what party leaders describe as a commanding mandate in Thursday’s parliamentary elections.
Rahman, 60, who recently returned to Bangladesh after spending nearly 17 years in self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom, contested and won from two constituencies — Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 — according to unofficial figures released by the Election Commission and reports cited by The Daily Star.
His return to active politics marks one of the most significant turnarounds in the country’s recent electoral history.
The BNP entered the race as the principal challenger and contested 292 of the 300 parliamentary seats, allocating the remaining constituencies to allied smaller parties.
The main opposition front was an 11-party alliance spearheaded by Jamaat-e-Islami.
Early trends suggested the BNP was on course to secure at least a two-thirds majority in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament).
BNP election committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin stated that the party was heading toward a decisive victory, adding that Rahman had comfortably won both seats from which he contested.
International Reactions
The election outcome drew swift international responses. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rahman and the BNP on what he described as a “decisive victory.”
In a message posted on X, Modi said the mandate reflected the trust reposed by the people of Bangladesh in Rahman’s leadership.
He reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting a “democratic, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh” and expressed hope for strengthening bilateral ties and advancing shared developmental objectives.
The United States also extended congratulations. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen hailed the polls as successful and described Rahman’s win as “historic,” reiterating Washington’s interest in working closely with the new leadership to promote prosperity and regional security.
A Political Comeback Decades in the Making
Tarique Rahman is the eldest son of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, a towering figure in Bangladeshi politics who led the country’s government three times.
Rahman rose through the ranks of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and served in key organisational roles before legal challenges and political turbulence forced him into exile in London in the late 2000s.
His prolonged absence from domestic politics had cast uncertainty over his leadership prospects.
However, following the passing of his mother and amid shifting political dynamics — including the suspension of the registration of the Awami League, which was consequently unable to contest the election — Rahman re-emerged as the BNP’s central figure and prime ministerial candidate.
His campaign focused on promises of democratic restoration, economic revitalisation, institutional reform, and strengthening Bangladesh’s global partnerships.
Supporters have portrayed his return as a revival of the BNP’s founding legacy, while critics remain watchful of how his administration may navigate governance challenges and political reconciliation.
A New Political Chapter
Rahman’s anticipated swearing-in signals the beginning of a new chapter in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
With a strong parliamentary mandate, he is expected to prioritise economic stability, youth employment, infrastructure development, and diplomatic balancing in a region of growing geopolitical importance.
As Bangladesh prepares for a leadership transition, attention now turns to the formation of the new cabinet and the policy direction the incoming government will adopt in the months ahead.
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