• Source:JND

Bangladesh’s political landscape is set to transform as power changes hands after a turbulent period. Following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, the country was led by an interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Now, after the general elections, his rival Tarique Rahman is set to become the Prime Minister. This time, Sheikh Hasina's Awami League was not allowed to contest the elections, paving the way for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to return to power in the country after two decades.

Previously, Sheikh Hasina ran the government from Dhaka, while Tarique Rahman was in exile in London. Now, Tarique Rahman will run the government, and Sheikh Hasina will monitor the situation from Delhi. 

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What Did Tarique Rahman Say?

When a journalist asked Tarique, "Many people in Bangladesh are Awami League supporters. What should be the path to reconciliation for them?" BNP chairperson gave a strange answer. "By ensuring the rule of law," he said.

Meanwhile, relations between India and Bangladesh have deteriorated to an unprecedented level during the Yunus government. Once the new government is formed, the focus will be on resolving these tensions. India will need to move beyond its previous relationship with Sheikh Hasina and establish a rapport with the Tarique Rahman government.

Awami League Votes Went To BNP

Following the July 2024 protests, many Awami League supporters have withdrawn from public life. Many have faced criminal charges simply for their association with the party, even if they played no role in the protests. Amid all this, the Awami League still retains a significant vote share. Since the party was not allowed to contest the elections this time, these votes shifted to the BNP.

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Upcoming Challenges For BNP

The incoming BNP government will have to strike a balance between these supporters. The challenge will be to dismiss cases against Awami League supporters while ensuring that the real culprits are punished.

The 2026 elections reveal a shift in voter behaviour. Despite the Awami League urging its supporters to boycott, a large number of its voters turned instead to the BNP. For those who chose to cast a ballot, the options were largely limited to the BNP or Jamaat-e-Islami, with the majority ultimately favouring Tarique Rahman’s party.

The reason behind this trend appears to be national identity. Both the Awami League and the BNP continue to honour the legacy of the 1971 Liberation War. Jamaat-e-Islami has, however, historically aligned itself with Pakistan.

Voters who hold Bangladesh’s secular and nationalist values remain skeptical of Jamaat-e-Islami. At the same time, the BNP has successfully broadened its support base among minority communities that traditionally leaned toward the Awami League. Tarique Rahman’s message of an inclusive and equal Bangladesh struck a chord with these groups.

Will Reconciliation Be Possible?

Tarique Rahman also promised to put an end to the harassment of minority communities in Bangladesh. By positioning itself as a safer and more inclusive alternative to Jamaat-e-Islami, the BNP successfully attracted voters who had previously supported the Awami League.


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