BNP’s Tarique Rahman, in his first address after the party’s decisive election win, called for unity and dedicated the victory to those who “sacrificed for democracy.”
In his first remarks following a decisive victory in Bangladesh’s national elections, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday called for unity and dedicated the party’s success to those who “sacrificed for democracy.”
Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh in December 2025 after nearly 17 years in self-imposed exile in London, won seats from Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6, marking the BNP’s grand comeback in the country’s political landscape.
“This victory belongs to Bangladesh. This victory belongs to democracy. This victory belongs to the people who aspire to and have sacrificed for democracy. From today, we are all free, with the true essence of freedom and rights restored,” Rahman said during a press conference.
BNP secures decisive majority
The BNP won 209 seats in the 13th national elections held on February 12, comfortably surpassing the majority needed to form the government. “With your spontaneous participation, after more than one and a half decades, a parliament and government accountable to the people through direct voting are being re-established in the country,” Rahman said, urging citizens to stay united “to ensure that no evil force can re-establish autocracy and that the nation is not turned into a subservient state.”
Elections after Hasina’s ouster
These elections were the first since the ouster of former premier Sheikh Hasina in the student-led uprising of July 2024. Hasina, who fled to India following her removal, saw her party, the Awami League, barred from participating in the polls.
“I congratulate the people of Bangladesh. By overcoming all obstacles, you have paved the way for the establishment of democracy in the country,” Rahman added.
Rehman to be next PM
Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia who passed away shortly after his return, is poised to become Bangladesh’s prime minister, making him the first male to hold the post since 1991. Bangladesh is also set to implement constitutional reforms proposed in the July National Charter, following strong approval in the National Referendum held alongside the general elections.
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