Bangladesh Election: Big victory of BNP in Bangladesh! Will Tariq Rehman become the next PM? Sheikh Hasina called the elections fake. Questions raised on voting violence, blasts and minority security. What is the real mandate of the people?
Tarik Rahman Bangladesh PM Candidate: BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) won a landslide victory in the general elections held on Thursday in Bangladesh. Out of the total 299 seats, BNP won 165 seats, giving the party a clear majority. Now it is almost certain that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s son and BNP President Tariq Rehman will be the next Prime Minister of the country. Rehman contested two seats and won both.
Sheikh Hasina called the elections fake, what is the truth?
Former Prime Minister and currently living in India, Sheikh Hasina termed this election as completely fake and unconstitutional. He says that Mohammad Yunus captured power illegally and this election was conducted accordingly. Hasina alleges that the general public’s right to vote and democratic values were not respected.
Violence and explosions during voting – security questions raised
Clashes and incidents of violence took place at many places during the elections. BNP leader Mohibuzzaman Kochi died outside a polling booth in Khulna. Whereas in Munshiganj-3 and Gopalganj Sadar area, crude bombs were thrown outside the polling booth, in which three people were injured. These incidents raised questions about the security and validity of the elections.
BNP’s big election promises – will the face of Bangladesh change?
The BNP has made several important promises for women, minorities and the economy:
- ‘Family Card’ and free post-graduation studies for women.
- High-speed bullet train to connect Dhaka with big cities.
- Strict laws for the protection of Hindus and minorities.
- Tax exemptions for small industries and welfare funds for workers working abroad.
- Strengthening and independent judiciary, giving more powers to the Election Commission and improving administration.
Who is Tariq Rehman? Calm and policy-focused leader
Tariq Rahman was born in 1967 in Dhaka and is the acting president of BNP. His political career began in student politics in the 1980s and 1990s. He was accused of corruption during the BNP regime of 2001–2006 and in 2008 he went to London for treatment. Now after returning to Dhaka in 2025, he took charge of the party. Tariq is considered a calm, listening and policy-oriented leader. He talks about planting 5 crore trees every year, creating new green zones in Dhaka and increasing technical education.
Position of Jamaat-e-Islami and other parties
The Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance of 11 parties got only 45 seats. Jamaat’s Hindu candidate Krishna Nandi was defeated by BNP candidate Aamir Ejaz Khan by more than 50 thousand votes in Khulna-1.
Will BNP’s dominance change Bangladesh politics?
This victory of BNP can decide the political direction of the country. Public expectations have increased especially on the issues of women empowerment, minority protection, and economic reforms. But criticism of Sheikh Hasina and incidents of violence have also raised questions on this victory.