• Source:JND

Bangladesh Elections 2026: Following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) decisive victory in the parliamentary elections, BNP and Prime Minister-in-waiting Tarique Rahman stated on Saturday that the country’s foreign policy would be guided by the interests of Bangladesh and its people.

“The interests of Bangladesh and its people will determine our foreign policy,” Rahman remarked when asked about the country’s relationship with India, during his first press conference after the BNP’s resounding win in the national elections on February 12.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman also called for the maintenance of law and order "at any cost" and sought cooperation from all in creating a safe and humane Bangladesh.

Addressing the press a day after the overwhelming victory in the 13th parliamentary elections, Rahman said, "We need everyone’s cooperation to build a safe and humane Bangladesh. This time, everyone must play a responsible role in rebuilding the country."

Rahman's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a decisive two-thirds majority, marking its return to power after nearly two decades. According to the Election Commission (EC), the BNP won 209 out of 297 seats, while the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats. The Awami League party, led by Hasina, was barred from contesting the elections, which saw a voter turnout of 59.44 per cent.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party delivered a sweeping performance in the elections held on Thursday, the first national vote since the violent 2024 uprising that led to the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

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BNP Chief Tarique Rahman also called for national unity, presenting the outcome as a renewed mandate for democratic values. In an address to the nation following the announcement of results, Rahman appealed for reconciliation across political divides. "Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united," he said, emphasising the importance of collective purpose.

He further stated, "This victory belongs to Bangladesh, belongs to democracy, this victory belongs to the people who aspired to and have sacrificed for democracy," linking the electoral outcome to what he described as a collective struggle for the restoration of democracy.

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While welcoming the results, Rahman warned that the incoming administration would face significant challenges. "We have paved the way for the establishment of democracy in the country," he added.

Rahman is the son of former President Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981, and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, a three-time officeholder and a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

( With Inputs From Agencies )


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