Dhaka

Tarique Rahman is set to take oath as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday after leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to a sweeping victory in the country’s 13th parliamentary elections.

The BNP secured 209 out of 297 seats, while the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats. The Awami League, led by former premier Sheikh Hasina, was barred from contesting the polls.

In a departure from tradition, the swearing-in ceremony of the 60-year-old BNP chairman will take place at the South Plaza of the Parliament Complex instead of Bangabhaban. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath at the Jatiya Sangsad complex on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will administer the oath to all newly elected Members of Parliament.

As leader of the majority party, Rahman will formally be invited by the President to form the government following his election as parliamentary party leader.

India will be represented at the ceremony by Om Birla, along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Lok Sabha Secretary-General Utpal Kumar Singh.

Rahman will replace interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, who assumed charge in August 2024 after the collapse of Hasina’s government amid mass protests.

The BNP leader, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and party founder Ziaur Rahman, recently returned from 17 years of self-imposed exile in London. Though he has not previously held public office, analysts note that his political lineage has significantly shaped his career.

Following the election victory, Rahman called for “national unity” and pledged to uphold the rule of law, stating there would be “no room for politics of vengeance.”

The BNP has invited approximately 1,200 domestic and international guests to the ceremony. Among the expected attendees are Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Turkish Undersecretary Beris Ekinci, and Sri Lanka’s Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

The February 12 election followed a prolonged period of political instability and security concerns in Bangladesh. Notably, four minority candidates — including two Hindus and two Buddhists — all from the BNP, won seats in the new parliament.

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Jamaat-e-Islami leaders have stated they intend to play a constructive role as the opposition in the newly formed parliament.