By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Bangladesh entered a new political chapter on Tuesday as Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was formally sworn in as the country’s prime minister following a landslide parliamentary election victory.
His inauguration marks a decisive shift in the nation’s political direction after years of turmoil, protest and transitional rule.
Rahman, 60, is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the late President Ziaur Rahman, whose legacy continues to shape Bangladeshi politics.
He assumes office at a moment of high expectations and daunting challenges, with the country seeking stability after the dramatic upheavals that followed the youth-led uprising which brought down Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024.
A Ceremony Symbolising Change
In a break from long-standing tradition, the oath-taking ceremony was held outdoors at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka, rather than at the Bangabhaban, the official presidential residence. The open-air setting was widely seen as symbolic of a new political era and an attempt to underscore transparency and inclusiveness.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to Rahman and members of his newly formed cabinet in the presence of senior politicians, judges, military leaders, diplomats, and representatives from several countries, including China, India and Pakistan.
The ceremony drew large crowds and extensive media coverage, reflecting both the significance of the moment and the polarized emotions surrounding it.
A Sweeping Mandate
Rahman’s BNP secured a commanding two-thirds majority in parliament, returning to power after nearly 20 years in opposition. The scale of the victory gives the new prime minister strong legislative authority, but also places responsibility squarely on his shoulders to deliver swift reforms.
The Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, contesting its first election since a ban imposed in 2013 was lifted after Hasina’s removal, achieved its strongest-ever showing with 68 seats.
Jamaat, along with its allies—including the National Citizen Party led by youth activists prominent in the 2024 protests—will form the core of the parliamentary opposition.
Hasina’s Awami League was barred from the contest after the Election Commission revoked its registration, a move that reshaped the electoral landscape and underscored the depth of political change underway.
From Exile to Power
Rahman’s ascent caps a long and turbulent personal and political journey. He returned to Bangladesh in 2025 after 17 years of self-imposed exile in London, a period marked by corruption allegations that he has consistently denied.
His return, coming shortly before his mother Khaleda Zia’s death, galvanized BNP supporters and injected fresh momentum into the party’s campaign.
Critics continue to question his past record, but supporters argue that his exile, return and eventual victory have strengthened his political legitimacy. During the campaign, Rahman positioned himself as a unifying figure capable of steering the country away from confrontation and toward recovery.
Pressing Challenges Ahead
Rahman inherits a nation facing urgent economic and social challenges. Political instability over the past two years has shaken investor confidence, slowed growth and disrupted key sectors—most notably the garment industry, which remains the backbone of Bangladesh’s export economy.
The country was governed through the election period by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, whose caretaker government was tasked with restoring order and overseeing a credible vote.
With the transition now complete, attention has turned to whether Rahman can translate his electoral mandate into durable stability.
In his first remarks after the election, Rahman struck a conciliatory tone, urging calm and discipline. “Peace, law and order must be maintained at any cost,” he said, calling on supporters to refrain from reprisals. “We will not tolerate any kind of chaos.”
A New Era, Uncertain Path
Rahman’s swearing-in signals the end of Bangladesh’s interim phase and the beginning of a new political era—one shaped by generational change, shifting alliances and lingering divisions. While his overwhelming mandate offers an opportunity to implement reforms, it also raises expectations among voters eager for economic revival, political reconciliation and a return to normalcy.
Whether Tarique Rahman can unite a deeply polarized nation and guide Bangladesh toward stability and growth will define not only his premiership, but the country’s trajectory for years to come.
Source Reuters
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