Bangladesh elections 2026: Tarique Rahman-led BNP wins majority in polls | World News
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, is set to achieve a landslide victory in the Bangladesh general elections. The official count is still ongoing. A vote was held to elect a new government to replace the interim administration established after the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024.
According to a report prepared by Dhaka TribuneEarly Friday morning counting showed the BNP leading in 151 constituencies. Early trends also showed that Jamaat-e-Islami could emerge as the main opposition with around 43 seats.
Rahman, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, officially became BNP chief on January 9 after her death.
In a post published on BNP’s media cell
The vote took place alongside a nationwide referendum on the 84-point reform plan known as the July National Charter.
PM Modi congratulates Tarique Rahman
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Rahman after BNP’s strong performance in the elections.
In a post on
“India will continue to support a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals,” he said.
First election after political turmoil
Bangladesh voted on Thursday after months of political uncertainty. The election was aimed at establishing a new parliament and replacing the interim government led by Muhammad Younis, which took over after the Awami League government collapsed in August 2024.
This was the first national vote in the country since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power. He fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024 and has been living in India since then. A Bangladesh court had previously declared him a fugitive.
The referendum held along with the elections focused on the July National Charter, a comprehensive reform plan covering constitutional, electoral and administrative changes.
India-Bangladesh relations are tense
Relations between India and Bangladesh have remained tense since the fall of the Awami League government. Concerns have increased over reporting of violence against minorities, particularly the Hindu community.
India responded by restricting tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens and withdrawing its diplomats’ families from Dhaka due to security concerns. A transshipment facility that allowed Bangladeshi export goods to pass through Indian routes was also discontinued.
Recent violence, including the killing of political activists and attacks on minority communities, has further increased tensions.
Bangladesh polls: Main candidates of the election
After Hasina’s departure, Bangladesh’s political landscape changed sharply. His party, Awami League, was banned by the interim administration and did not participate in the elections.
The main rivalry was limited to the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. Rahman led the BNP campaign after returning from long exile in London. During Hasina’s rule, he had spent years abroad facing numerous cases, all of which were later dropped.
The BNP, which is part of a multi-party alliance, has fielded many candidates within the framework of local regulations. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami led a separate alliance that included student-led groups active during the 2024 protests.
(With agency input)
