Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn in as Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 17 February 2026, following his party’s decisive election victory. This marks a significant shift in Bangladesh’s politics after nearly 20 years.
Rahman, 60, becomes the first male prime minister elected in decades, ending years of leadership by women, his mother, Khaleda Zia, and political rival Sheikh Hasina.
The oath ceremony took place at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka, administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Rahman was joined by members of his new 49-member cabinet, including 25 ministers, 24 state ministers, and 3 technocrats. Several ministers are serving for the first time.
In his first speech, Rahman called for national unity and pledged to focus on good governance and stability. His swearing-in signals a new chapter for Bangladesh as the BNP takes charge, with Rahman now leading the government into a transformative phase.
The ceremony combined Bangladesh’s political leadership with regional diplomatic representation, notably from India, the Maldives, Turkey, and Sri Lanka. Domestic MPs and officials also marked the formal start of the new government under Rahman’s leadership. Notable foreign guests included India’s parliamentary speaker Om Birla, Vikram Misri, India’s Foreign Secretary, Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha, Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu, Turkish Undersecretary Beris Ekinci, and Sri Lanka’s Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa.
The BNP won 209 out of 297 seats, in the parliamentary elections on 12 February, while the Jamaat-e-Islami party won 68 seats. The main rival, the Awami League, was not allowed to contest, paving the way for the BNP’s return to power.
His party’s victory follows a period of political unrest and mass protests. Supporters view it as a renewal of democratic choice, while critics have raised concerns about stability and the exclusion of the Awami League from the elections.
