Last Updated on February 17, 2026 7:53 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Tarique Rahman, the long-exiled leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn in as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday, following his party’s decisive win in the 13th National Parliament elections.
The ceremony, held at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka, was administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
Tarique, 60, returned to Bangladesh in December 2025 after 17 years in self-imposed exile in London, following the death of his mother and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He led the BNP to a commanding victory in last week’s general elections, securing 209 of the 297 seats where voting took place. His main rival, the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance, won 68 seats.
The BNP’s return to power marks a significant shift in Bangladeshi politics, long dominated by Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia. Hasina, who had ruled for over 15 years, was removed after a student-led uprising in August 2024. An interim government headed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus managed the country until the February elections.
Tarique faces the twin challenges of stabilizing the political landscape and restoring confidence among minorities, particularly Hindus, whose safety has been a concern since Hasina’s ouster. Economic revival, especially for the textile sector, the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, is another key priority.
On the international front, Tarique will need to rebuild strained ties with India while navigating the influence of China and Pakistan in Bangladesh. India was represented at the swearing-in ceremony by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Addressing the nation, Tarique called for unity and peace: “Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united. National unity is our strength; division is our weakness.”
The 25 ministers are: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khoshru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, Abu Jafar Md Zahid Hossain, Dr Khalilur Rahman (Technocrat), Abdul Awal Mintoo, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Mizanur Rahman Minu, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Zahir Uddin Swapon, Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid (Technocrat), Afroza Khanam Rita, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Asadul Habib Dulu, Md Asaduzzaman, Zakaria Taher, Dipen Dewan, ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Sarder Md Sakhawat Hossain, Fakir Mahbub Anam, and Sheikh Rabiul Alam.
The 24 state ministers are-M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Anindya Islam Amit, Md Shariful Alam, Shama Obaed Islam, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Farhad Hossain Azad, Md Aminul Haq (technocrat), Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, Habibur Rashid, Md Rajib Ahsan, Md Abdul Bari, Mir Shahe Alam, Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, widely known as Zonayed Saki, Ishraque Hossain, Farzana Sharmin, Shaikh Faridul Islam, Nurul Haque Nur, Yasser Khan Chowdhury, M Iqbal Hossain, MA Muhith, Ahammad Sohel Manjur, Bobby Hajjaj and Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam.
Technocrats: Khalilur Rahman, Haji Aminur Rashid Yasin, Aminul Haque.
Newly elected MPs have taken oaths as members of the 13th Parliament but have not yet joined the Constitution Reform Council, pending parliamentary endorsement.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Shafiqur Rahman was elected as the Leader of the Opposition, with Nahid Islam serving as the Chief Whip.
