Tarique Rahman Set to Be Sworn in as Bangladesh PM Tomorrow; India and China Extend Congratulations

As counting nears completion in Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary elections, the Tarique Rahman-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party has secured 213 seats by 2:10 pm, while the Jamaat-e-Islami and its 11 allies have managed 76 seats, according to The Daily Star. The Bangladesh Election Commission is yet to officially confirm results, with counting still underway for three constituencies.

The 60-year-old Rahman is expected to take oath as Prime Minister on Saturday, reported PTI.

Decisive Victory for BNP

The BNP is on course for a sweeping win in the polls held to replace the interim government, which took office after the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League in August 2024. Most projections indicate the party comfortably surpassing the simple majority mark of 150 seats, following its boycott of the 2024 elections.

By early morning, the BNP-led alliance was reported leading in 198 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance trailed with 62, according to the Dhaka Tribune. Results have been completed in 182 constituencies, with counting ongoing in 117 more, The Daily Star reported.

The party has publicly claimed a majority and called on supporters to offer prayers instead of holding victory rallies. Tarique Rahman has won Dhaka-17 and Bogra-6, while senior BNP leaders including Salahuddin Ahmed, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Lutfozzaman Babar, Mirza Abbas, and Reza Kibria have also secured seats.

Prominent Jamaat figures such as Shafiqur Rahman, Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem, and ATM Azharul Islam have retained their constituencies. The National Citizen Party, which emerged from the student-led July uprising, has won six seats, with Md Nahid Islam narrowly claiming Dhaka-11.

International Reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on the BNP’s electoral sweep, highlighting India-Bangladesh ties. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also extended congratulations, citing the deep-rooted historical, linguistic, and cultural bonds.

The United States embassy in Dhaka welcomed BNP’s “historic victory,” underscoring international recognition of the election outcome.