Dhaka: It was an electrifying night on February 12, 2026, as Bangladesh witnessed the announcement of its 13th national election results. Citizens eagerly followed the unfolding events on television, experiencing a range of emotions from jubilation to despair with each declared constituency result. The night symbolized the triumph of democracy in Bangladesh, a nation yearning for a fair election for nearly two decades. This long-awaited dream materialized with the election of a truly representative prime minister.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tarique Rahman, the charismatic Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), emerged as the first premier elected by populist votes. Under his leadership, the BNP secured a landslide victory with 211 seats in parliament. The elections were endorsed as fair and credible by international observers, including the European Union, who reported no instances of fraud or vote rigging.
The people of Bangladesh had lost faith in the electoral process after enduring three rigged elections under the previous Awami League government. This government was ousted in a student-led uprising that resulted in significant casualties. However, the recent elections marked a return to democratic norms, which had been absent since the manipulated elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024.
Tarique Rahman, son of the Independence Proclaimer and slain President Ziaur Rahman, as well as three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, has emerged as a statesman through democratic elections. His journey was fraught with challenges, including exile and personal suffering. Despite these obstacles, he remained committed to restoring democratic rights, freedom of expression, and press freedom in Bangladesh.
Rahman’s political journey began in 1988, and his organizational prowess became evident during the 1991 parliamentary elections. As a member of the BNP’s National Campaign Strategy Committee, he played a crucial role in his mother’s electoral success. His leadership skills further shone in the 2001 elections, leading to a decisive victory for the BNP.
Despite facing conspiracies and political persecution, including imprisonment and exile, Rahman’s dedication to the Bangladeshi people never wavered. He continued to lead and inspire from abroad, even as the regime of Sheikh Hasina sought to silence him through fabricated cases and political harassment.
Upon his return to Bangladesh in December 2025, Rahman was greeted as a hero. However, his joy was tempered by the passing of his mother shortly thereafter. On January 9, 2026, he assumed the role of BNP chairman, a position many saw as his destiny.
Rahman’s rise to leadership was not merely a result of his lineage but was earned through his political acumen, dedication, and unwavering commitment to democratic principles. His leadership has revitalized Bangladesh’s democracy, promising an era of governance that upholds the rights and freedoms long denied to its citizens. As he takes office as Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman represents a new chapter in Bangladesh’s political history.