After more than one and a half years, an elected political government began its journey in Bangladesh on Tuesday.
The newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) took oath at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the morning. Later, the swearing-in of the new government took place in the afternoon.
The BNP-led alliance secured a two-thirds majority in the 13th parliamentary election on 12 February. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman took oath as the new prime minister around 4pm on Tuesday, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin administering the oath.
At the same ceremony, the president also administered the swearing-in of the new cabinet.
This time, instead of Bangabhaban, the oath-taking ceremony of the prime minister and cabinet members was held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
From 2001 to 2006, the BNP was in government, and after 20 years the party has returned to power by winning the national election. The BNP cabinet now consists of 49 members — 25 ministers and 24 state ministers, including three technocrats.
This cabinet includes many new faces who have never before served as ministers or state ministers. Some leaders have secured a place in the cabinet immediately after being elected for the first time.
Of the 25 ministers, 17 are newcomers, while all 24 state ministers are new. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman himself is also joining the cabinet for the first time.
The nation participated in a free, fair election on 12 February, 2026, for what Bangladesh was waiting for almost 20 years.
The people of Bangladesh had been dreaming of such competitive festive elections for long. Their dream finally came true in the second week of this month and they got a true elected prime minister indeed. Tarique has been the first elected premier by populist votes since 2008.
Tarique has long been a central figure in Bangladesh’s political discourse. His elevation to the premiership is seen by many within BNP as the continuation of a political legacy blended with promises of reform and modernization.
He entered politics at an early age, influenced by his mother Khaleda Zia’s pro-democracy struggle during the Ershad era.
He played a key role in the BNP’s 2001 election campaign, helping create a nationwide wave for the Sheaf of Paddy symbol that delivered a two-thirds majority. Following the victory, the BNP Standing Committee appointed him Senior Joint Secretary-General in 2002.
As his political profile rose, he faced what the BNP describes as sustained conspiracies against him, particularly during the army-backed 1/11 caretaker government in 2007. The party alleges he was targeted through politically motivated actions, detained, and subjected to physical and mental torture for months in an effort to push him out of politics.
He later travelled to London for medical treatment after sustaining a serious spinal injury and remained abroad in what the BNP describes as forced exile. From the United Kingdom, he continued to lead party activities virtually and stayed in regular contact with leaders and activists.
The BNP alleges that the previous Sheikh Hasina administration filed multiple politically motivated cases against him in absentia and targeted his family properties.
Despite what the party calls sustained political pressure and legal challenges, his standing within the BNP and its grassroots support base has remained strong. While living abroad, Tarique was appointed acting chairman of the BNP in 2018 after Khaleda Zia was jailed, with the party citing his leadership credentials.
From exile, he continued political activities and called for the restoration of people’s rights. The BNP credits his sustained campaign with contributing to the movement that led to the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, ending nearly 16 years in power.
After what the BNP describes as years of political barriers, Tarique returned to Bangladesh on 25 December 2025, marking his first visit in nearly 17 years since the 1971 Liberation War generation shaped the nation’s history.
Supporters gathered in large numbers as he arrived and addressed the crowd, pledging a plan for the people and the country. Five days later, the country received news of the death of his mother Khaleda Zia.
On 9 January 2026, he was elected chairman of the BNP, a development many political observers had anticipated. The party says his rise was shaped by years of political engagement, organisational work and strategic leadership.
He pledged to restore democratic governance, protect civil rights and steer the country away from what the BNP terms years of misrule. His campaign message resonated with voters, culminating in a landslide victory for the BNP in the national election.
Bangladesh has now returned to an elected government, with Tarique sworn in as prime minister.
