Dhaka, February 17, 2026: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the country’s Prime Minister today, marking a historic return after 17 years in exile and ending decades of female-dominated leadership. Leading BNP to a landslide victory in the February 12 national elections, Rahman secured over 151 seats in the 300-member parliament, ousting the Awami League legacy.
The oath-taking ceremony at the Jatiya Sangsad’s South Plaza saw President Mohammed Shahabuddin or Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin administer the pledge, with MPs sworn in earlier at 9:30 AM followed by the cabinet at 4 PM. This is Bangladesh’s first male PM in 36 years, since the era of “begums” like Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, whose 2024 ouster via Gen Z-led protests paved the way for BNP’s resurgence.��Tarique Rahman, son of former PM Khaleda Zia, returned from London exile in December 2025 after charges were dropped. He won both seats he contested, propelling BNP to 209 seats alongside allies like Jamaat-e-Islami’s 68. Rahman addressed supporters, vowing economic revival, constitutional reforms per the July National Charter, and mending ties strained under Hasina’s 15-year rule.��India’s PM Narendra Modi received an invite but skipped due to prior commitments; Pakistan’s PM also absent. Regional leaders from 13 nations attended, eyeing stability in South Asia’s volatile politics. BNP dismissed a second oath for a reform council, sticking to the existing constitution amid debates on its legal basis.
Experts see Rahman’s leadership as a shift toward Islamist-leaning nationalism, promising job creation and anti-corruption drives after Awami League’s ban. Youth turnout was key, fueled by 2024 unrest. This new era raises hopes for Indo-Bangla trade but concerns over
