DHAKA: Tarique Rahman is poised to be the Next Prime Minister of Bangladesh after a clean sweep of the Bangladesh National Party in the election. BNP got two-thirds majority to form the government.
Tarique Rahman, long overshadowed by his famous parents and Bangladesh’s dominant political rivalries, has stepped into the national spotlight at age 60. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader now appears poised to take charge of the country of 170 million people.
A year and a half after a deadly uprising ended Sheikh Hasina’s rule, the BNP said it secured a sweeping victory in Thursday’s parliamentary elections. Official results have not been announced yet. However, the United States and Pakistan congratulated Tarique Rahman on what it called a “historic” win. It added momentum to his rapid political ascent.
Rahman returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in exile in Britain, a move that reshaped the country’s political landscape.
Legacy, Grief, and a Fresh Political Pitch
Rahman, widely known as Tarique Zia, carries the weight of a dynasty. He was 15 when his father, President Ziaur Rahman, was assassinated in 1981. Meanwhile, his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, died in December just days after his return.
Rahman said he wanted to build on his parents’ legacy while charting his own course. “They are them, I am me,” he said, promising to “do better.”
He described mixed emotions after coming home, saying joy quickly turned into grief as he lost the chance to embrace his ailing mother.
Despite mourning, he immediately took over BNP leadership, rallied massive crowds, and led the election campaign.
Rahman’s past remains controversial due to corruption allegations and old diplomatic cables calling him divisive. Still, he denies wrongdoing, says he suffered torture in custody, and recently apologised for any “unwanted” mistakes. His return also sparked viral attention online, especially after he arrived with his ginger cat, Jebu.
