Tarique Rahman, who lived in London in self-exile for 17 years, has made a remarkable turnaround. The scion of one of the powerful political dynasties has led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party founded by his father to a forceful victory after 20 years.

The 60-year-old BNP Chairman was sworn in as Bangladesh Prime Minister for the first time on Tuesday.

His party bagged 209 out of 297 seats, while right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami, known to be close to Pakistan, secured 68 seats. The Awami League of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina was barred from contesting the 13th Parliamentary polls held on February 12.

(PTI)

Rahman, speaking to AFP just before the vote, vowed to build on their legacy.

"They are them, I am me," he said from his office, beneath gold-framed portraits of his late parents. "I will try to do better than them."

He described the "mixed feelings" that overwhelmed him when he arrived home in December -- the joy of returning, swiftly eclipsed by grief at his mother's death.

Instead of celebrating, however, he had to bid farewell to his ailing mother, who had long been in intensive care.

(AFP)

Rahman, who was in self-imposed exile in London for 17 years, had returned to Bangladesh in December following the death of his mother, Khaleda Zia

President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to 60-year-old Tarique Rahman at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad instead of Bangabhaban, in a departure from a long-standing tradition.

Earlier in the day, Rahman was elected as leader of the parliamentary party by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party lawmakers.

Rahman's BNP has bagged 209 out of 297 seats, while right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats in the 13th Parliamentary elections. Deposed premier Sheikh Hasina's Awami League was barred from contesting polls.

(PTI)

Breaking with tradition, the swearing-in ceremony was held under the open sky at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the national parliament building, instead of the Bangabhaban, the president's official residence where such events are usually organised. 

President Mohammed Shahabuddin officiated as Tarique Rahman and his cabinet took their oaths in the presence of senior political figures, diplomats, civil and military officials, and representatives from invited countries, including China, India and Pakistan.

Rahman's BNP secured a commanding two-thirds majority, returning to power after nearly two decades. The Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, contesting its first election since a 2013 ban was lifted following Hasina's ouster, won a record 68 seats.

(Reuters)

Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh's prime minister on Tuesday, marking a decisive political shift in the South Asian nation after his party's sweeping parliamentary election victory.

Rahman, 60, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and assassinated President Ziaur Rahman, takes office facing urgent challenges, including restoring political stability, rebuilding investor confidence, and reviving key industries such as the garment sector after the prolonged turmoil that followed the Gen Z-led uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina's government in 2024.

An interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus ran the country through the transitional period leading up to the election.

(Reuters)

As Bangladesh enters a "new dawn" following years of political upheaval, Tarique Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is set to take the oath as Prime Minister today.

The swearing-in ceremony at the Parliament Bhawan marks a historic return to power for the BNP, following its landslide victory in the February 12 general elections.

Reflecting optimism surrounding the transition, the Convener of the Jatiyo Chhatra Samaj stated, "We are excited about the new parliament and about Tarique Rahman and the BNP government. We think that this will be a different government from the previous government."

(ANI)

A total of 25 BNP MPs have been selected to take the oath as Ministers in the Cabinet, while 24 will be sworn in as state ministers, of the newly elected government in Bangladesh, local media reports.

The list of Ministers includes Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, etc, according to the leading Bangladeshi daily, The Dhaka Tribune.

(IANS)

A total of 25 BNP MPs have been selected to take the oath as Ministers in the Cabinet, while 24 will be sworn in as state ministers, of the newly elected government in Bangladesh, local media reports. The list of Ministers includes Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, etc, according to the leading Bangladeshi daily, The Dhaka Tribune.

Two BNP leaders, Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid and Khalilur Rahman, will take oath as Technocrat Ministers, the report added.

The MPs will shortly take the oath as Ministers in the Cabinet.

Tarique Rahman's swearing in as Prime Minister of Bangladesh will see several firsts for his country, including the ceremony taking place in the presence of foreign leaders, including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus stepped down on Monday in a farewell broadcast to the nation before handing over to an elected government.

Will Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister be willing to take hard steps, even reverse some decisions of the Yunus regime, looking ahead to ensure peace and stability along the more than 4,000-kilometre-long border between India and Bangladesh?

Tarique Rahman will take the oath as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday after leading his party to a forceful victory in the crucial general elections.

 Dhaka, Bangladesh: On Tarique Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), taking oath as the Prime Minister of the country, the Convener of the Jatiyo Chhatra Samaj organisation says, "We are excited about the new parliament and about Tarique Rahman and the BNP government. We think that this will be a different government from the previous government. Tarique Rahman won't repeat the fascist culture again, and I think he will concentrate on democratic culture, and he will think of the interest of the people, and the people will be the owners of this country... Everything will be changed, and we will see a new Bangladesh."

Bangladesh's outgoing Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus used his farewell address to project defiance abroad, most notably through indirect but provocative remarks touching on India's northeastern region.

After a landslide victory in the national election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lawmakers have formally elected their chief, Tarique Rahman, as the leader of parliament and the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reached Dhaka on Tuesday to represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh's newly elected government led by Tarique Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Upon his arrival at the airport, he was received by Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Secretary Nazrul Islam. The reception, which included officials from the High Commission of India, underscores the regional importance of the transition as Rahman prepares to take office following the BNP's landslide victory.

Joining the international dignitaries, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also arrived in Dhaka to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet. Foreign Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs noted that Birla's participation "underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh, reaffirming India's steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind the two nations."

MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, on Tuesday, emphasised the strategic importance of India's presence at the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh's newly elected government led by Tarique Rahman. The MP's remarks came as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reached Bangladesh today to represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "As far as PM Modi is concerned, there was also concern about the Pakistani Prime Minister being part of it... Understanding the seriousness of how the India-Bangladesh relationship has gone downhill, and Pakistan has had a strong influence on Bangladesh, it is important that we begin engaging with Bangladesh and ensure the relationship we shared returns to the same footing..."

While speaking to ANI on Muhammad Yunus' statement, she further added, "He can continue to say what he wants. He has been the most divisive figure in Bangladesh, heavily influenced by Pakistan and aiding and abetting targeted killings of Hindu minorities... I would only say it is good riddance, and such provocative statements from him would get the deserved response that the MEA will give to him..."

Bangladesh's prime minister-to-be Tarique Rahman and lawmakers were sworn into parliament on Tuesday, becoming the first elected representatives since a deadly 2024 uprising. Rahman is set to take over from an interim government that has steered the country of 170 million people for 18 months since the autocratic government of Sheikh Hasina was overthrown.

The lawmakers, who promised loyalty to Bangladesh, were sworn in by the Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lawmakers are expected to formally elect Rahman as their leader, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin then to administer the oath of office to the prime minister and his ministers later on Tuesday afternoon.

Rahman, 60, chief of the BNP and scion of one of the country's most powerful political dynasties, won a landslide victory in the February 12 elections.

Tarique Rahman will become Bangladesh's first male head of government in 35 years. His ascent to power signals the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics dominated exclusively by two women – his mother, Khaleda Zia, and long-time rival Sheikh Hasina. Zia became the country's first female prime minister in 1991 and served multiple terms. Later Awami League leader Hasina went on to become the longest-serving prime minister in Bangladesh's history, holding office across successive mandates beginning in 1996 and later in 2008, 2014, 2018, and 2024.

As Bangladesh prepares for a political transition, the newly elected members of parliament from the Jamaat-led alliance, independent candidates, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh took their oath on Tuesday afternoon at the National Parliament in Dhaka, local media reported.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath on Tuesday morning in accordance with the country's Constitution.

Citing sources, Bangladesh’s leading newspaper, The Daily Star, reported that two sentences of the oath were read after consultation with Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman.

Reports suggest that the six MPs of the National Citizen Party (NCP) were not present in the room during the oath-taking.

After the signing formalities were concluded, the second oath, as members of the Constitutional Reform Council reportedly commenced.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman is all set to be the Prime Minister of the country after his party's Members of Parliament elected him as leader of the parliamentary party, making it official. The development came even as all the newly elected members of parliament from across the parties took the oath of office, ending the stalemate over the Constitution Reform Council.

Bangladesh’s right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami's newly elected MPs initially refused to take the oath of office after the victorious BNP declined to take the pledge as members of the “Constitution Reform Council”.