Bangladesh Gets First Male Prime Minister In 35 Years - Tarique Rahman; Timeline Of Bangladesh’s PMs

• BNP has secured a sweeping victory in Bangladesh's first national election since Sheikh Hasina's fall in 2024.
• Party chief Tarique Rahman, who returned after 17 years in exile, is set to become the next Prime Minister.
• His leadership marks a major political shift and the possible return of a male-led government after decades.

Bangladesh is poised for a major political transition as Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Tarique Rahman prepares to take charge as the country's next Prime Minister following his party's decisive win in the 13th national elections.

The vote marks the first general election since the dramatic fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in 2024 and signals the return of the BNP to power after years in opposition.

Return from exile to top office

Tarique Rahman's rise to the top post comes just months after his return to Bangladesh following nearly 17 years in exile in London. He contested from two constituencies - Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 - and secured victories in both, reinforcing his authority within the party.

The 60-year-old leader has long been seen as the political heir of the BNP. He is the eldest son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman, who founded the party. Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in 1981, after which Khaleda Zia entered politics and later became prime minister in 1991.

Rahman has served as the BNP's acting chairman since his mother's imprisonment in 2018 and gradually consolidated control over party affairs even while living abroad.

Legal hurdles and political comeback

Rahman had been facing multiple criminal cases during his years overseas, including convictions delivered in absentia. One of the major cases involved allegations linked to a plot to assassinate Sheikh Hasina.

However, after Hasina's removal from power in 2024 and the subsequent political changes, those rulings were overturned, clearing the legal obstacles that had prevented his return. His comeback and electoral victory now mark one of the most dramatic political reversals in Bangladesh's recent history.

Key highlights of Rahman's rise

Several developments underline the significance of his ascent:

Returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile
Won from two parliamentary constituencies
Led BNP's campaign and candidate selection directly
Set to head government after historic election shift

Party insiders say Rahman maintained firm control over the BNP's organisational and electoral strategy, guiding alliance formation and candidate selection in the run-up to the polls.

BNP calls for prayers, not celebrations

Despite the sweeping victory, the BNP has instructed supporters to avoid immediate victory processions. Instead, the party has called for Friday prayers and special prayer meetings across mosques and other places of worship to mark the moment.

The move is seen as an attempt to maintain calm and project a message of unity during a sensitive political transition.

A historic leadership shift

Rahman's expected appointment as prime minister also marks a symbolic shift in Bangladesh's political landscape. Since 1990, the country has been led almost continuously by two women - Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. The last male prime minister before this period was Kazi Zafar Ahmed in 1988.

If Rahman assumes office, it will be the first time in more than three decades that Bangladesh will have a male prime minister.
Challenges ahead

Rahman has promised to deliver a corruption-free administration and focus on rebuilding democratic institutions. He has spoken about establishing "clean politics" and creating a rights-based governance system.

In earlier remarks, he said, "The country will progress only if democracy is practiced, we want to reconstruct the country."

As he prepares to take office, Rahman faces the task of forming an inclusive government and steering Bangladesh through a politically sensitive transition while balancing expectations of reform, stability and economic growth.