Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has announced his intention to return to Bangladesh to contest the upcoming elections, signalling a dramatic political shift in the country’s turbulent landscape. In an exclusive interview with the UK-based Financial Times (FT), the de facto head of the BNP predicted that his party would secure a sweeping majority following last year’s ousting of the authoritarian leader Sheikh Hasina.
Tarique Rahman emphasised that the student-led revolution, which played a pivotal role in toppling Sheikh Hasina’s regime, would remain incomplete without the holding of a free and “credible” election. “We are confident we will win,” he told the FT in his first face-to-face English-language interview.
“We strongly believe that we are in the position to form the government alone.” He also suggested that his return to Bangladesh was imminent, saying, “I think the time is very close for my return to Bangladesh.”
The FT report highlighted that whoever leads the next government will face a host of significant challenges. Bangladesh’s economy remains fragile, particularly its critical garment sector, which has been adversely affected by recent US tariffs. Additionally, the country’s diplomatic relations with neighbouring India have become strained following Sheikh Hasina’s flight abroad.
The report noted that Tarique Rahman is widely regarded as the prime ministerial frontrunner in the elections scheduled for February 2026, with opinion polls indicating strong support for the BNP.
Muhammad Yunus, who currently serves as Bangladesh’s interim leader, has taken a firm stance by banning Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League from engaging in political activities. Tarique Rahman echoed Yunus’s characterization of the Awami League as “fascist” and expressed readiness to form a coalition government with other political entities, including a nascent faction led by students who were instrumental in the uprising last year.
“We will welcome them into politics,” Rahman said. “They are young, they have a future.”
This political realignment evidences the profound shifts underway in Bangladesh’s governance and democratic processes. The student-led movement has energized a new generation of political actors whose involvement signals potential transformation in the nation’s future leadership.
However, questions remain about how the BNP-led government will navigate the economic challenges, restore regional relationships, and implement reforms promised during the transitional period under Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration.
As the election approaches, the international community is watching closely, mindful that Bangladesh’s stability is crucial not only for South Asia but also for global supply chains and diplomatic balance in the region.
The ability of Tarique Rahman and the BNP to deliver on promises of credible elections, economic recovery, and inclusive governance will be key determinants of the country’s trajectory in the years to come.
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Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has announced his intention to return to Bangladesh to contest the upcoming elections, signalling a dramatic political shift in the country’s turbulent landscape. In an exclusive interview with the UK-based Financial Times (FT), the de facto head of the BNP predicted that his party would secure a sweeping majority following last year’s ousting of the authoritarian leader Sheikh Hasina.
Tarique Rahman emphasised that the student-led revolution, which played a pivotal role in toppling Sheikh Hasina’s regime, would remain incomplete without the holding of a free and “credible” election. “We are confident we will win,” he told the FT in his first face-to-face English-language interview.
“We strongly believe that we are in the position to form the government alone.” He also suggested that his return to Bangladesh was imminent, saying, “I think the time is very close for my return to Bangladesh.”
The FT report highlighted that whoever leads the next government will face a host of significant challenges. Bangladesh’s economy remains fragile, particularly its critical garment sector, which has been adversely affected by recent US tariffs. Additionally, the country’s diplomatic relations with neighbouring India have become strained following Sheikh Hasina’s flight abroad.
The report noted that Tarique Rahman is widely regarded as the prime ministerial frontrunner in the elections scheduled for February 2026, with opinion polls indicating strong support for the BNP.
Muhammad Yunus, who currently serves as Bangladesh’s interim leader, has taken a firm stance by banning Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League from engaging in political activities. Tarique Rahman echoed Yunus’s characterization of the Awami League as “fascist” and expressed readiness to form a coalition government with other political entities, including a nascent faction led by students who were instrumental in the uprising last year.
“We will welcome them into politics,” Rahman said. “They are young, they have a future.”
This political realignment evidences the profound shifts underway in Bangladesh’s governance and democratic processes. The student-led movement has energized a new generation of political actors whose involvement signals potential transformation in the nation’s future leadership.
However, questions remain about how the BNP-led government will navigate the economic challenges, restore regional relationships, and implement reforms promised during the transitional period under Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration.
As the election approaches, the international community is watching closely, mindful that Bangladesh’s stability is crucial not only for South Asia but also for global supply chains and diplomatic balance in the region.
The ability of Tarique Rahman and the BNP to deliver on promises of credible elections, economic recovery, and inclusive governance will be key determinants of the country’s trajectory in the years to come.
Comments