With the swearing in of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister the unconstitutional and unelected interim government under Chief Adviser Prof Dr. Mohammad Yunus is gone and an elected government's era has started. Tarique Rahman formed government as the first male Prime Minister in last 35 years amidst rising expectations when people gave landslide victory to his party BNP with decisive mandate in February 12 national election.
The exit of the unelected government will now raise many questions about its governance and many decisions on some sensitive national issues for which it had no peoples mandate. The interim government led by Chief Adviser Dr. Mohammad Yunus that took state power not by constitutional means but by the reality of the student and youths led July-August Uprising in 2024 was expected to change the state of governance and politics from authoritarianism to democratic consensus and culture. But it failed to contain corruption and abuse of power, the main issues of July Uprising. Instead it patronised mob culture creating a fear syndrome on media, state administration, judiciary and liberal thinking. It tried to impose long expected reforms by force not by consensus. It had to face resistance and backlash when it tried to enforce decisions, policies and agreements on some sensitive national issues and interests.
The swearing-in of Tarique Rahman as Bangladesh's 11th prime minister marks a watershed moment in the country's recent political history. After nearly eighteen months of political transition, violent & chaotic occurrences and uncertainty following the fall of Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League government in the wake of July Uprising in 2024, the return to an elected administration represents both relief and a renewed responsibility. For a nation that has endured turbulence, mass protests, mob violence, institutional recalibration, and an unelected and unconstitutional interim administration tasked with stabilizing the state, this moment is rich with symbolism-and fraught with expectation.
The oath-taking ceremony at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, administered by President Mohammad Shahabuddin on Tuesday. was more than a constitutional formality. It was the formal closing of a volatile chapter that began with the July Uprising, ultimately culminating in the 13th parliamentary elections.
However, the image of an elected prime minister standing before the nation, pledging to uphold the constitution, sends a powerful signal: Bangladesh's democratic process, though tested, remains resilient.
Tarique Rahman's return to Dhaka on December 25, 2025, after 17 years in London exile, added a dramatic dimension to the electoral season. His re-entry into domestic politics was swift and emotionally charged, particularly following the death of his mother, Begum Khaleda Zia, who was the first female prime minister and remains one of the most consequential political figures in the country. That said - mourning a personal loss while preparing for national leadership demanded both emotional fortitude and political focus. The very fact that he moved quickly from bereavement to the campaign trail reinforced his determination to consolidate his party's decisive victory while shaping the next phase of governance.
As for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), this victory represents more than electoral success-it is a political resurrection. After years of opposition politics, organizational strain, and legal battles - the BNP has finally reclaimed the country's executive authority. Yet, with authority comes scrutiny.
The electorate's decision was not simply a rejection of the past government or the interim administration's failures and shortcomings; it was also an endorsement of promised reforms, stability, and economic revival.
The boycott of key political actors at the oath-taking ceremony, particularly leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP), introduced an early note of unwanted and undesirable discord. In a fragile post-transition environment, symbolic gestures matter.
Tarique Rahman's outreach to rival leaders after his electoral victory suggested an intention to lower the temperature of political rivalry and encourage cooperation. Their decision to refrain from attending the swearing in ceremony of Tarique Rahman as PM and his Council of Ministers, therefore, clealry reflects lingering mistrust or strategic positioning. The absence, however, underscores that the reality of political reconciliation in Bangladesh yet remains elusive and, also incomplete.
Bangladesh's recent political upheaval was not an isolated episode but the culmination of deeper frustrations-economic pressures, governance disputes, and questions about institutional accountability.
The Interim Government, installed after the Awami League's collapse, carried the burden of maintaining order while preparing a national elections. While it succeeded in delivering a transition but it failed to address economic stagnation. Inflation, unemployment, currency pressures, and investor hesitation continue to weigh heavily on the national mood. It, also failed to hold an inclusive election, intentionally keeping a large political party Awami League and its over third of country's voter outside the election process, which will haunt the acceptability of the election.
This is the challenging landscape on which the new prime minister must now govern. The expectations are immense. Restoring public confidence in law enforcement agencies and ensuring that political violence and mob culture do not resurface will be immediate priorities.
Economic recovery is equally urgent. Bangladesh's development story over the past decades-marked by export-led growth, remittance inflows, and infrastructural expansion-cannot afford prolonged instability. Reviving investor confidence, stabilizing markets, and protecting vulnerable populations from economic shocks will define the early months of the new administration.
The immediate challenge, we believe, is how efficiently the new BNP government can deal with price hike during the holy month of Ramadan and ensure the law and order.
Formation of the new cabinet, blending veteran BNP figures with younger leaders, signals an attempt to balance experience with renewal. Veteran ministers bring experience, institutional memory and administrative know-how - while younger appointees may inject fresh energy and policy innovation.
The actual test, however, lies not in the optics of generational balance but in coherent policymaking and disciplined implementation. Bangladesh's bureaucracy, business community, civil society and media will be watching closely to see whether campaign rhetoric translates into measurable outcomes.
Moreover, the new BNP government must navigate through a polarized political culture. The fall of the previous regime was dramatic, and wounds from that period have not fully healed.
If the BNP-led government seeks durability, it will need to foster a climate of inclusivity, where dissent is managed through dialogue rather than confrontation. Demonstrating respect for democratic norms, judicial independence, and press freedom will help consolidate legitimacy at home and credibility abroad.
Geographically, Bangladesh occupies a strategically important position in South Asia. Stability in Dhaka has implications for regional trade, migration, and security cooperation.
The return to an elected government may reassure external partners who prioritize predictable governance.
At the same time, foreign policy continuity-balancing relationships with major powers while protecting national interests-will require careful calibration.
Ultimately, Mr Tarique Rahman's premiership begins at a moment of both hope and high stakes.
The people has handed him an absolute mandate shaped by disillusionment with the recent past and aspiration for a more stable future.
Delivering tangible improvements in security, economic stability, and institutional fairness will determine whether this political comeback evolves into a lasting legacy.
Bangladesh stands at a crossroads once again. The turbulence of the past eighteen months has reminded its citizens that democracy is not self-sustaining-it demands vigilance, compromise, and accountability as well as inclusiveness.
As the new prime minister assumes office, the challenge is clear - transform electoral victory into effective governance, and in order to do so - the new young prime minister must ensure that his return , and political victory truly becomes a solid foundation for a more stable and prosperous chapter in the Bangladesh's history.
The stakes for him are high-but so are the expectations of the people.
