Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been sworn in as Bangladesh's new Prime Minister, marking the formation of a new government after parliamentary elections held on Thursday. The BNP secured a majority of seats in the election, the first since a student-led uprising in 2024 led to the ouster of the Awami League government. The swearing-in ceremony included Rahman and his cabinet. A concurrent national referendum on constitutional reforms also reportedly passed. International leaders, including those from India, the United States, China, and Pakistan, extended congratulations.
Tarique Rahman's swearing-in as Prime Minister and the formation of his cabinet signifies a major political shift in Bangladesh, following the BNP's majority win and a national referendum on constitutional reforms.
New Leadership and Government Formation
Tarique Rahman, 60, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn into office as Prime Minister on Tuesday. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office at the South Plaza. Rahman's appointment follows his party's victory in the recent parliamentary elections. He is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman.
This marks his first term as prime minister and the first male prime minister in Bangladesh in 35 years.
Accompanying Rahman, President Shahabuddin also administered oaths to 25 cabinet ministers and 24 state ministers. Among the new cabinet members are Nitai Roy Chowdhury (Hindu) and Dipen Dewan (Buddhist) from minority communities, and Khalilur Rahman, the outgoing interim regime's security adviser, who was appointed as a technocrat minister. Rahman returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years of self-imposed exile in London.
Election Outcome and Context
The parliamentary elections were held on Thursday, with unofficial results from the Election Commission indicating the BNP alliance secured between 209 and 212 seats out of the 297 to 300 directly elected seats. This outcome provides the BNP with a majority in the 350-member Parliament, which includes 50 reserved seats for women. The 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami secured between 68 and 77 seats, with Jamaat-e-Islami itself winning 68 seats. The National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by student leaders of the 2024 uprising and part of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, obtained 5 to 6 seats.
Voter turnout for the election was reported to be between 59.4% and 60.26% of the over 127 million eligible voters. The elections were largely peaceful, with reports of isolated incidents.
These elections were the first since a student-led uprising in July-August 2024 led to the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League administration. The Awami League party was prohibited from participating in these elections, and its activities were banned by the preceding interim government. An interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, oversaw the election process after Hasina's removal from power.
Constitutional Referendum and Reforms
Concurrently with the parliamentary elections, a national referendum was held on an 84-point reform package known as the 'July National Charter 2025' or 'July Charter'. The proposals aimed to introduce prime ministerial term limits (a two-term, 10-year limit), strengthen checks on executive power, implement safeguards against the consolidation of parliamentary power, establish new constitutional bodies, create a bicameral legislature, and ensure judicial independence.
The referendum reportedly passed with a "Yes" vote, with approval rates cited between 68% and 73% of votes cast, and a voter turnout of approximately 60.26%.
While major parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, had endorsed the charter, BNP lawmakers declined to take a second oath as members of a proposed Constitutional Reform Council. Lawmakers elected from the Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies did take the second oath.
International Engagement
India's Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, conveying a congratulatory letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaker Birla, who attended the swearing-in ceremony with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, extended well wishes and an invitation for Rahman to visit India. Prime Minister Modi had previously declined an invitation from Bangladesh's interim government chief, Md Yunus, to attend the swearing-in due to other scheduled commitments.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and representatives from Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan also attended the ceremony or extended congratulations. The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka and China also congratulated Rahman and the BNP, expressing interest in collaboration.
Reports indicated that relations between Dhaka and New Delhi had become strained during Yunus's interim tenure.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Status
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ousted in the 2024 mass uprising, remained in self-imposed exile in India during the election. She faces a death sentence in Bangladesh on charges related to the uprising, which she denies, referring to the court as a 'kangaroo court'. Hasina issued a statement after polls closed, describing the election as a "carefully planned farce" and calling for its cancellation, the lifting of restrictions on her party, and the arrangement of a new election under a neutral caretaker government. The BNP has reiterated its commitment to seeking her extradition from India.
Challenges and Future Direction
The new BNP government faces economic challenges, including high inflation and rising unemployment. Prime Minister Rahman has outlined policy intentions to recalibrate Bangladesh's international partnerships to attract investment, expand financial aid for low-income families, and diversify industries beyond garment exports. He has also committed to working for democracy, upholding the rule of law, and addressing the effects of climate change.
The Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance is positioned to form the primary opposition in Parliament. Shafiqur Rahman, leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, acknowledged the election outcome and stated his party's intention to serve as "a vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition," despite earlier concerns regarding vote-counting irregularities.
The administration is tasked with implementing the reforms outlined in the July National Charter and addressing the aspirations that fueled the 2024 uprising, including calls for an end to corruption, human rights abuses, and political violence. The new government is expected to strengthen institutional checks on executive power and work towards reconciliation. Rahman's administration also faces the task of managing complex foreign relations, particularly with neighboring India, while seeking to improve ties.