Tarique Rahman to Take Oath as Prime Minister of Bangladesh Today

Bangladesh is set for a major political change on Tuesday evening as Tarique Rahman, Chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), prepares to take oath as prime minister following his party’s clear victory in the parliamentary elections.

In the 13th parliamentary polls, the BNP won 209 out of 297 seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League was not allowed to contest, making the election a direct fight between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

This will be Rahman’s first term as prime minister. He replaces interim head Muhammad Yunus, who took over in August 2024 after the Awami League government fell amid mass protests. Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi worsened during Yunus’s tenure.

Oath Ceremony Details

The ceremony will be held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad complex instead of Bangabhaban. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the cabinet at 4 pm on Tuesday.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will administer the oath to all 297 newly elected MPs, who will first take the oath as parliament members and then as part of the Constitutional Reform Council.

The BNP will hold a parliamentary party meeting at 11:30 am to officially elect Tarique Rahman as its leader before the President invites him to form the government.

Guests and Diplomats

About 1,200 domestic and foreign guests are expected. From India, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will attend, along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Secretary-General Utpal Kumar Singh. Maldives President Mohammed Muizzoo, Turkish Undersecretary Beris Ekinci and Sri Lanka’s Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa are also expected.

Election Background

The February 12 election came after political unrest and violence, including attacks on minorities following Hasina’s 15-year rule. Four minority candidates from the BNP, including two Hindus, a Buddhist, and a Chakma leader, won seats. Hindus make up about 8% of Bangladesh’s 170 million population. The Jamaat-e-Islami leader AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said his party would play a constructive role in opposition.

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